Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing (Yale Shakespeare)

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os THE POUNDIN(I OF THE SOCIETP

: The Tale Shakespeare : - -

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

EDITED BY

TUCKER BROOKE

N E W HAVEN A N D LORDON . YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS

~ o P Y ~ I G H T , 19 17

BY YAI,X UNNPRSITY PREM

Eighth printing, November 1065

Printed in the United Staka of dmorics

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P A U E

THE TEXT . 1

N o ~ s s . . 107

APPENDIX A. Sources of the Play . 124

APPENDIX B. The History of the Play 128

APPENDIX C. Suggestions for Collnt- era1 Rending . . 130

APPENDIX D. The Text of the Present Edition . . 181

The facsimile opposite represents the tilde-

page qf the Elizabethan Club copy qf the d y

eariy quarto edition. F@zn copies qf thb edition are kr rmn to w i v e .

Much adoe about Nothing

&I it h d t h Lee~~finn'rik tir~er puliitch altcd by.rhc righr honourablc,thc Lord

Charnbcriinc his feruanu.

Written by JV&m Shrk&mrr,

L O N D O N Pril~tcd by V.S.for Andrew Wif&and

\VilIiam Afplcy. J 600,

DRAMATIS PERSONE

DON 3 ~ 2 ~ 0 , Prince of Arragon LEONATO, Governor of llfessina DON J O I I N , Bastard Brother to Don Pedro C L A ~ I O , a young Lo1.d of Flo~ence, Favou+ite

to Don Pedro BENEDICK, a yomg L o ~ d of Padua, faoour'd

likewise b y Don Pedro ANTONIO, Brother to Leonato BALTHASAR, Servant to Don Pedro B o ~ a c ~ i r o , Conjidant to Don John COKRADE, Friend to Borachio DOGBERRY, a constable, Oflcerr VERGES, a headborough, FRIAR FRANCIS

I ( I N N O G E N , W i f e to Leonato) HERO, Daughter to Leonato and Innogen BEATRICE, Niece to Leonato MARGARET, two Gentlezc~omen attending on URSULA, 1 IIero

A Sexton, a Boy in attendance on Benedick, Messengers, members o f the Night Watch, and otber Attendants

SCENE: Messina in Sicily.

MucA A ~ Q About Nothing

ACT FIRST

Scene One

[Before Antonio'~ Orchard]

Enter Leonato, Governor of nlessina; Innogen, his wife; Hero, his daughter; and Beatrice, his niece; with a Messenger.

Leon. I leain in this letter that Don Pedro of Arragon comes this night to hfessina.

Mess. He is very near by this: he was not three leagues off when I left him. 4

Leon. How many gentlemen have you lost in this action?

Mess. But few of any sort, and none of name. Leon. A victory is twice itself when the

achiever brings home full numbers. I find here that Don Pedro llath bestowed much honour on a young Florentine called Claudio. 11

Mess. Much deserved on his part and equally remembered by Don Pedro. He hath borne himself beyond the promise of his age, doing in the figure of a lamb the feats of a lion: he hath indeed better bettered expectation than you must expect of me to tell yon how. 17

Leon. H e hath an uncle here in Messina will be very much glad of it.

Mess. I have already delivered him letters, ' and there appears much joy in him; even so

7 sort: rank; cf. n. name: reputation

- a Much Ado About Nothing, I . i

much that joy could not show itself modest enough without a badge of bitterness.

Leon. Did he break out into tears? 24

Mess. In great measure. Leon. A kind overflow of kindness. There are

no faces truer than those that are so washed: how much better is i t to weep a t joy t t an to joy at weeping! 29

Beat. I pray you is Signior Mountanto returned from the wars or no?

Mess. I know none of that name, lady: there was none such in the army of any sort. 33

Leon. What is he that you ask for, niece? Hero. hly cousin means Signior Benedick of

Padua. 98

Mess. 0 ! he Is returned, and as pleasant a~ ever he mas.

Beat. He set up his bills here in Messina and challenged Cupid at the flight; and m y uncle's fool, reading the challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at the bird-bolt. I pray you, how many hath he killed and eaten in these wars? But how many hath he killed? for, indeed, I promised to elit all of his killing. 45

Leon. Faith, niece, you tax Signior Benedick too much; but he'll be meet with you, I doubt it not. 48

Mess. H e hath done good service, lady, in these wars.

Beat. You had musty victual, and he hath

23 badge: disthtgu&fring mark 26 kind: natural 30 Mountanto; c f . n. 37 pleasant: ~ i v e n to j o k i n ~ 39 bills: advertisetrrent 40 at the flight: at long-distance archery 41 subscribed: sigued 42 bird-bolt: blttnt arrow for shooting birds; c f . n. 46 tax: bhmr 47 meet with: rven with

Much Ado About Nothi*ng, I . i

holp to eat it: he is a very valiant trencher- man; he hath an excellent stomach. 53

Mess. And a good soldier too, lady. Beat. And a good soldier to a lady; but

what is he to a lord? 66

Mess. A lord to a lord, a man to a man, stuffed with all honourable virtues.

Beat. I t is so, indeed; he is no less than a stuffed man; but for the stuffing,-well, we are all mortal. 61

Leon. You must not, sir, mistake my niece. There is a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: they never meet but there's a skirmish of wit between them. 06

Beat. Alas ! he gets nothing by that. In our last conflict four of his five wits went halting off, and now is the whole man governed with one! so that if he have wit enough to keep himseIf warm, let him bear i t for a difference between himself and his horse; for it is all the wealth: that he hath left to be known a reasonable' creature. Who is his companion now ? He hath every month a new sworn brother. 74

Mess. Is't possible ? Beat. Very easily possible: he wears his faith

but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block. Mess. I see, lady, the gentleman is not in

your books. 80

Beat. No; an he were, I would burn my

52 trencher-man: glutton 60 stuff?d . : stuffing; cf. n. 67 five wits; cf. n. went halting off: retsrcd itmpIng 70 difference;.cf. n. 72 to be known, etc cf. r. 76 faith: fidelrty 78 next block: newest fashion ( b t - k w l d ) 80 book8:'good books'

4 Much Ado About Nothing, I . i

study. But, I pray you, who is his companion? Is there no young squarer now that will make a voyage with him to the devil? 84

Mess. He is most in the company of the right aoble Claudio.

Beat. 0 Lord! he will hang upon him like n disease: he is sooner caught than the pestilence, and the taker ruus presently mad. God help the noble Claudio! if he bave caught the Benc- dick, it will cost him a tllousand pound ere a' be cured. sa

Mess. I will hold friends with you, lady. Beat. Do, good friend. Leon, You will never run mad, niece. Beat. No, not till a hot January. 96

Mess. Don Pedro is approached.

Enter Don Pedro, Claudio, Benediclc, Balthaaar, and John the Bastard.

D. Pedro. Goad Signior Leonato, you arc come to meet your trouble: the fashion of the world is to avoid cost, and you encounter it. loo

Leon. Never came trouble to my house in the likeness of your Grace, for trouble being gone, comfort should remain; but when you depart from me, sorrow abides and happiness takes his leave. 105

D. Pedro. Yon embrace your charge too willingly. I think this is your daughter. \

Leon. Her mother hath many times told me so. 109

83 squarer: quarreller 83 presently : im,nediatety 90 the Benedick; cf. n, 91 a': he 100 encounter: go fowardr 106 embrace your charge: accept your burdrn

Much A d o About Notiling, I . i s

Bene. Were you in doubt, sir, that yon asked her?

Leon. Signior Benedick, no; for then yon were a child. 113

D. Pedro. You have it full, Benedick: we may guess by this what you are, being a man. Truly, the lady fathers herself. Be happy, lady, for you are like an honourable father. 117

Bene. If Signior Leonato be her father, she would not have his head on her shoulders for all Messina, as like him as she is. 120

Beat . I wonder that you will still be talking, Signior Benedick: nobody marks you.

Bene. What! my dear Lady Disdain, are yon yet living? 124

Beat . I s it possible Disdain should die while she hat11 such meet food to feed i t as Signior Benedick? Courtesy itself must convert to disdain, if you come in her presence. 12 8

Bene. Then is courtesp a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted; and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. 133

Beat. A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. 189

I3en.e. God keep your ladyship still in that

114 full: ful l in the face 116 fathers herself: shows who u her father 121 still: a lways 126 meet: Proper 127 convert: chang. 134 dear happiness: rare lltck 137 humour : disposition

Much Ado About Nothing, I . i

mind; so some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.

Beat. Scratching could not make i t worse, an 'twere such a face as yours were. 144

Bene. Well, you are a rare parrot-teacher. Beat. A bird of my tongue is better than a

beast of yours. Bene. I would my horse had the speed of

your tongue, and so good a continuer. But 'keep your way, i' God's name; I have done.

Beat. You always end with s jade's trick: I know you of old. 152

D. Pedro. This is the sum of all, Leonato.- Signior Clauclio, and Signior Benedick, my dear friend Leonato hath invited you all. I tell him we shall stay here a t the least a month, and he heartily prays some occasion may detain us longer: I dare swear he is no hypocrite, but prays from his hcnrt, 159

Leon. If you swear, my lord, you shall not be forsworn. [To Don John.] Let me bid you welcome, my lord: being reconciled t o the prince your brother, I owe you all duty. D. John. I thank you: I am not of many

words, but I thank you. 16s

Leon. Please i t your Grace lead on? D. Pedro. Your hand, Leonato; we will go

together. Exeunt all but Benedick and Claudio.

Claud. Benedick, didst thou note the daughter of Signior Leonato ?

142 predestinate; cf. n. 143 an: if; cf. n. 146 bird, ctc.; cf. n. 149 so good continuer: equal staying powers 151 jade's trick; cf. ti. 162 being: sinct you avo

Much Ado B bold Noti~in,g, I . i 7

Bene. I noted her not; but I looked on her. Claud. I s she not a modest young lady? 172

Bene. Do you question me, as an honest mall should do, for my simple true judgment; or would you have me speak after my custom, as being a professed tyrant to their sex? I76

Claud. No; I pray thee speak in sober judgment.

Bene. Why, i' faith, methinks she's too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a grezt praise: only this commendation I can afford her, that were she other than she is, she were unhandsome, and being no other but as she is, I do not like her. 184

Claud. Thou thinkest I am in sport: I pray thee tell me truly how thou likest her.

Bene. Would you buy her, that you inquire nfter her ? 188

Claud. Can the world buy such a jewel? Bene. Yea, and a case to put i t into. But

speak you this with a sad brow, or do you play the flouting Jack, to tell us Cupid is a good hare-finder, and Vulcan a rare carpenter ? Come, in what key shall a man take you, to go in the song?

Claud. In mine eye she is the sweetest lady that ever I looked on. 101

Bene. I can see yet without spectacles and I see no such matter: there's her cousin an she were not possessed with a fury, exceeds her as much in beauty as the first of hlny doth the last

171 noted; cf. n. 176 tyrant: falrlf-finder 191 sad: serious 192 flouting Jack: mockvrg fellow 192 Cupid, etc.; cf. n. 194 go in: join in

Dfuch Ado About Nothing, I . i

of December. But I hope you have no intent to turn husband, Iiave you?

Claud. I would scarce trust myself, though I had sworn to the contrary, if Hero would be my wife. 206

Bene. Is't come to this, i' faith? Hat11 not the world one man but he will wear liis cap with suspicion? Sl~all I never see a bachelor of threescore again? Go to, i' faith; an thou wilt needs thrust thy neck into a yoke, wear the print of it, and sigh away Sundays. Look! Don Pedro is returned to seek you. 218

Enter Don Pedro.

D. Pedro. m a t secret hath held you here, that you followed not to Leonato's?

Bene. I would your Grace would constrain me to tell. 217

D. Pedro, I charge thee on thy allegiance. Bene. Yon hear, Count Claudio: I can be

secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; b u t on my allegiance, mark yo11 this, on my allegiance: he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace's part. Mark how s h ~ r t his answer is: with Hero, Leonato's short daughter. 224

Claud. If this were so, so were it uttered. Bene. Like the old tale, my lord: 'it is not so,

nor 'twas not so; but, indeed, God forbid it should be so.' 228

Claud. If my passion change not shortly, God forbid it should be otherwise,

208 near his cap, ctc,; cf. n. 210 Go t o : comri 212 sigh away Sundays; cf. s. 226 the old tale; cf. rr,

fif Z L C ~ Ado About NotRi?zg, I . i 9

D. Pedro. Amen, if you love her; for the lady is very well worthy. 232

Clatid. You speak this to fetch me in, my lord. D. Pedro. By my troth, I speak my thought. Claud. And in faith, my lord, I spoke mine. Bene. And by my two faiths and troths, my

lord, I spoke mine. 237

Claud. That I love her, I feel. D. Pedro. That she is worthy, I know. Bene. That I neither feel how she should be

loved nor h o w how she should be worthy, is the opinion that fire cannot melt out of me: I will die in i t at the stake.

D. Pedro. Thou wast ever an obstinate heretic in the despite of beauty. 245

Claud. And never could maintain his part but in the force of his will.

Bene. That a woman conceived me, I thank her; that she brought me up, I likewise give her most humble thanks: but that I will have a recheat winded in my forehead, or hang my bugle in an invisible baldrick, all women shall pardon me. Becanse I wil.1 not do them the wrong to mistrust any, I will do myself the right to trust none; and the fine is,-for the which I may go the finer,-I will live a bachelor. 256

D. Pedro. I shall see thee, ere I die, look pale with love.

Bene. With anger, wit11 sickness, or with hunger, my lord; not with love: prove that ever I lose more blood wit11 love than I will get again with drinking, pick out mine eyes with a bnllad-

233 fetch . . in: e f ~ t v a p 245 despite : contewtpt 251 recheat, etc.; cf. n. 255 fine: end 256 go the finer: wear finer clothes 260 prove: if you discover

- 10 Jlz~ch Ado About Nothing, I . i

maker's pen, and hang me up at the door of a )brothel-house for the sign of blind Cupid. 264

D. Pedro. Well, if ever thou dost fall from this faith, thou wilt prove a notable argument.

Bcne. If I do, hang me in a bottle like a cat and shoot a t me; and he that hits me, let him be clapped on the shoulder, and called Adam.

D. Pedro. Well, as time shall try: 270

'In time the savage bull duth bear the yoke.' Bene. The savage bull may; but if ever the

sensible Benediclc bear it, pluck off the bull's horns and set them in. my forehead; and let me be vilely painted, and in such great letters as they write, 'Here is good horse to hire,' let them signify under my sign 'Here you may see Benediclc the married man.'

Clnud. If this should ever happen, thou wouldst be horn-mad. 280

D. Pedro. Nay, if Cupid hare not spent all his quiver in Venice, tllou wilt quake for this shortly.

Bene. I look for an earthquake too then. D. Pedro. Well, you will temporize with the

hours. In the meantime, good Signior Benedick, repair to Leonato's: commend me to him and tell him I will not fail him at supper; for indeed he hath made great preparation, 288

Bene. I have almost matter enough in me for such an embassage; and so I commit you-

Claud. To the tuition of God: from my house, if I had it,- 292

264 sign . . Cupid; cf. H. 266 argument: theme fm folk 267 bottle; cf. n. 269 Adam- cf. n. 270 try: prove 271 Cf. n. 280 hork-mad: mad as a horned beast 282 Venice- cf. tz . 284 temporize; cf. it. 291 tuition I protection; cf. n.

Much Ado Abmd Nothing, I . i

D. Pedro. The sisth of July: your loving friend, Benedick.

Bene. Nay, mock not, mock not. The body of your discourse is sometime guarded with fragments, and the guards are but slightly basted on neither: ere you flout old ends any further, examine your conscience: and so I leave you.

Exit. Claud. My liege, your highness now may 60

me good. 300

D. Pedro. My love is thine to teach: teach it but how,

And thou shalt see how apt i t is to learn Any hard lesson that may do thee good.

Claud. EIath Leoncrto any son, my lord? 304

D. Pedro. No child but Hero; she's his only heir.

Dost thou affect her, Claudio? Claz~d. 0 ! my lord,

When you went onward on this ended action, I looked upon her with a soldier's eye, 308

That lilr'd, but had a rougher task in hand Than to drive liking to the name of love; But now I am return'd, and that war-thoughts Have left their places vacant, in their rooms 312

Come thronging soft and delicate desires, All prompting me how fair young Hero is, Saying, I lik'd her ere I went to wars. D. Pedro. Thou wilt be like a lover presently,

And tire the hearcr with a book of words. 317

If thou dost love fair Hero, cherish it, And I will break with her, and with her father,

296 guarded: trinrmrd; cf. fi 297 guards: trimmings 306 affect: love 519 break: open negotiotwnr

D1uc71, Ado About Nothiny, I . iC

And thou shalt have her. Was't not to this end That thou began'st to twist so fine a story? 321

Claud. How sweetly do you minister to love, That know love's grief by his complexion! But lest my liking might too sudden seem, 824

I would have srrlv'd it with a longer treatise. D. Pedro. What need the bridge much

broader than thc flood? The fairest grant is the necessity. Look, what will serve is fit: 'tis once, thou lov'st, And I will fit thee with the remedy. 320

I know we shall have rerelling to-night: I will assume thy part in some disguise, And tell fair Hero I am Claudio; 332

And in her bosom I'll unclasp my heart, And take her hearing prisoner with the force And strong encuunter of my nrnorous tale: Then, after to her father mill I break; 838

And the conclusion is, she shall be thine. In practice let us put i t presently. Exeunt.

Scene Two

[Leonato's House]

Enter Eeonato and [Antonio,] an old man, brother to Leonato.

Leon. How now, brother! Where is my cousin, your son? Nath he provided this music ?

Ant, He is very busy about it. But, brother, I can tell you strange news that you yet dreamt not of.

321 twist: spirr 323 complexion: outward appearance 325 salv'd: softened 327 Cf. 91. 328 'tis once: once for all 2 cousin: nephew; cf. n.

Much Ado About Nothing, I . ii

Leon. Are they good? I

Ant. As the event stamps them: but they have a good cover; they show well outward. The prince and Count Claudio, walking in a thick-pleached d ley in my orchard, were thus much overheard by a man of mine: the prince discovered to Claudio that he loved my niece your daughter, and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance; and, if he found her accordant, he meant to take the present time by the top and instantly break with you of it. 17

Leon. Hat11 the fellow any wit that told you this ?

Ant. A good sharp fellow: I will send for him; and question him yourself. 21

Leon. No, no; we will hold i t as a dream till it appear itself: but I will acquaint my daughter withal, that she may be the better prepared for an answer, if peradventure this be true. Go you, and tell her of it. [Several persoors cross the atage.] Cousins, you know what you have to do. 0 ! I cry you mercy, friend; go you with me, and I will use your skill. Good cousin, have a

care this busy time. Exeunt.

8 event: otctcome 11 thick-plcached: hedged with inicrtwinivcg branches 13 discovered: revealed 16 accordant: consentixg 17 top: forelock 23 appear: make evident 24 mthal : tlterezLifh 28 cry you mercy: bcg pardon

- Much A d o A bout Nothing, I . iii

Scene Three

[The Same]

Enter Sir John the Bastard and Conrade, his companion.

Con. What the good-year, my lord! why are you thus out of measure sad?

D. John. There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit. 6

Con. You should hear reason. D. John. And when I have heard it, what

blessing brings i t ? 8

Con. If not a present remedy, a t least a patient sufferance.

D. John. I wonder that thou, being,-as thou say'st thou art,-born under Saturn, goest about to apply a moral medicine to a mortifying mischief. I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile a t no man's jests ; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour. 10

Con. Yea; but you must not make the ful l show of this till you map do i t without control- ment. You have of late stood out against your brother, and he hat11 ta'en you newly into his grace; where it is impossible you should take

1 good- ear : an unerplained expletive 2 out ofmeasure: i~rrr~~easlrrably 12 born under Saturn; cf. 11. 13 mortifying mischief: deadly duease 17 tend on: attend to 19 claw: tickle, f i t f 8 t

Il-iz~clz Ado About Nothing, I . iii 15

true root but by the fair weather that you make yourself: i t is needful that you frame the season for your own harvest. 27

D. John. I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I hod my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking: in the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me. 39

Con. Can yo11 make no use of your discontent? D. John. I make all use of it, for I use it

only. Who comes here?

Ettter Borachio.

I n a t news, Borachio? 43

Bora. I came yonder from a great supper: the prince, your brother, is royally en.tertained by Leonato; and I can give you intelligence of an intended marriage. 47

D. John. Will it serve for any model to build mischief on? What is he for a fool that be- troths himself to unquietness ?

Born. Marry, it is your brother's right hand. D. John. Who? the most exquisite Claudio? Bora. Even he. 63

26 frame: produce 28 canker: dog-rose 30 blood: temper fashion a carria e: counterfeit a behavior 35 enfranchised: liberated 49 g h a t . . for: 3h& kind of

lliuch Ado About Nothing, I . iii

D. John. A proper squire ! And who, and who? which way looks he?

Born. Marry, on Hero, the daughter and heir of Leonato. 57

D. John. A very forward March-chick! How came SOU to this?

Bora. Being entertained for a perfumer, as I was smoking a musty room, comes me the prince and Claudio, hand in hand, in sad conference: 1 whipt me behind the arras, and there heard it agreed upon that the prince should woo Hero for himself, and having obtained her, give her to Count Claudio. 6 6

D. John. Come, come; let us thither: this may prove food to my displeasure. That young start-up hath all the glory of my overthrow: if I can cross him any way, I bless myself every way. You are both sure, and will assist me?

Bore* ) To the death, my lord. 72 Con. D. John. Let us to the great supper: their

cheer is the greater that I am subdued. Would the cook were of my mind! Shall we go prove what's to be done? 76

Bora. We'll wait upon your lordship. Exeunt.

54 proper: fine 58 Marchchick: Wmmturely hatched chicken 60 entertained: employed 61 smoking elc - cf n. 69 start-up: upstart 71 sure : jrvs&orihy

fiy-luch Ad0 2 b02~t No thk~y , I I . i 17

ACT SECOND

Scene One

[ A Halt in Leonato's House]

Enter Leonato; [Antonio,] his brother; hia wife; Hero, itis dn7ighter; and Beatrice, his niece; and a kinsman.

Leon. Was not Count John here a t supper? Ant. I saw him not. Beat. How tartly that gentleman looks! I

never can see him but I am heart-burned an hour after. 6

Hero. He is of a very melancholy disposition. Beat. He were an excellent man that were

made just in the mid-may between him and Benedick: the one is too like an image, and says nothing; and the other too like my lady's eldest son, evermore tattling. 11

Le0.n. Then half Signior Benedick's tongue in Count John's mouth, and half Count John's melanclloly in Signior Benedick's face,-

Beat. With a good leg and a good foot, uncle, and money enough in his purse, such a man would win any woman in the world, if a' could get her good will. 18

Leon, By m y troth, niece, thou wilt never get thee a, husband, if thou be so shrewd of thy tongue. 21

Ant. I n faith, she's too curst. Beat. Too curst is more than curst: I shall

lessen God's sending that way; for i t is said,

4 heart-burned: dyspeptic 20 shrewd: sharp 22 curst: ilCtcmPcrrd

&f ucl~ Ado 14 bout Nothing, I I . i

'God sends a curst cow short horns;' but to a cow too curst he sends none.

Leon. So, by being too curst, God mill send you no horns ? 28

Beat. Just, if he send me no husband; for the which blessing I am a t him upon my knees every morning and evening. Lord ! I could not endure a husband with a beard on his face: I had ra t l~er lie in the woollen. 3 3

Leon. You may light on a husband that hath no beard.

Beat. What should I do with him? dress him in my apparel and make him my maiting-gentlewoman? H e that hath a beard is more th tn a youth, and he that hat11 no beard is less than a man; and he that is more than a youth is not for me; and lie that is less than a man, I am not for him: therefore I mill even take sixpence in earnest of the bear-ward, and lead his apes into hell. 44

Leon. Well then, go you into hell? Beat . No; but to the gate; and there will the

devil meet me, like an old cuckold, with horns on his head, and say, 'Get you to heaven, Beatrice, get you to heaven; here's no place for you maids:' so deliver I up my apes, and away to Saint Peter for the heavens; he shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live me as merry as the day is long. 53

Ant. [To Hero.] Well, niece, I trust you will be ruled by pour father,

29 Just: just so 33 lie in the woollcn: sleep between blankets (without sheets) 43 earnest: advance wages bear-ward : trainer of bears (atrd

often a es ) lead . . hell; cf. n. 47 cuekolB: deceived hwsband 51 for the heavens; cf, n.

Illucl~ Ado About Nothing, I I . i 19

Beat. Yes, faith; it is my cousin's duty to make curtsy, and say, 'Father, as i t please you:' -but yet for all that, cousin, let him be a handsome fellow, or else make another curtsy, and say, 'Father, as i t please me.' 60

Leon. Well, niece, I hope t o see you one day fitted with a husband.

Beat. Not till God nlalre men of some other metal than earth. l l~ould i t not grieve a woman to be over-mastered with a piece of valiant dust? to make an account of her life to a clod of wayward marl? No, uncle, I'll none: Adam's sons are my brethren; and truly, I hold i t a sin to match in my kindred. 69

Leon. Daughter, remember what I told you: if the prince do solicit you in that Irind, you know your answer. 72

Beat. The fault will be in the music, cousin, i f you be not wooed in good time: if the prince be too important, tell him there is measure in everything, and so dance out the answer. For, hear me, Hero: wooing, wedding, and repenting, is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty, lilce a Scotch jig, and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly- modest, as a measure, full of state and nncientry; and then comes Repentance, and, with Iris bad legs, falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave. 84

Leon. Cousin, you apprehend passing shrewdly.

64 metal: substancr 65 over-mastered with: srt bject to 67 marl: clay 75 important: iinportr~nate 78 measure: a statelv dattcc cinaue- ace: livelv dance 80 mannerly-: bccokirlgly '81 :?ncientry f a ~ r t i q w style 85 apprehend: understand passing: exceedingly

20 3iuch Ado About Nothieng, I I . i

Beat. I have a good eye, uncle: I can see s church by daylight.

Leon. The revellers are entering, brother : make good room. SQ

Entet. Prince Pedro, Claudio, Ben.edick, Bal- tltazar, Don John, [Borachio, Margaret, Ursula, and otlter] Maskers with a drum.

D. Pedro. Lady, will you walk about with your friend ?

Hero. So you walk softly and look sweetly and say nothing, I am yours for the walk; and especially when I walk away.

D. Pedro. With me in your company? Hero. I may say so, when I please. Q 6

D. Pedro. And when piease you to say so? Hero. When I like your frvour; for God

defend the lute should be like the case ! D. Pedro. My visor is Philemon's roof; with-

in the house is Jove. ICI

Hero. Why, then, your visor should be thatcll'd.

D. Pedro. Speak low, if you spealc love. 104

[Takes her aside.] Bnlth. Well, I would you did like me. Marg. So would not I, for your own sake: for

I have many ill qualities. Balth. Which is one? 108

fifarg. I say my prayers aloud. Balth. I love you the better; the hearers may

cry Amen. Marg. God match me with a good dancer!

86 see a church; cf. n. 98 favour: face 99 defend: forbid 100 visor : math Philemon's roof; cf. n. 107 ill: bad

-Much Ado About Nothil~lg, I I . i

Balth. Amen. 113

Marg. And God keep him out of my sight when the dance is done ! Answer, clerk.

Balth. N o more words: the clerk is answered. 117

Urs. I know yon well enough: you are Signior Antonio.

Ant. At a word, I am not. 120

Urs. I know .you by the waggling of your head.

Ant. T o tell SOU true, I counterfeit him. Urs. You could cgver do him so ill-welI,

unless you were the very man. Here's his dry hand up and down: you are he, you are he.

Ant. At a word, I am noi;. 127

Urs. Come, come; do you think I do not h o w you by pour excellent wit? Can virtue hide itself? Go to, mum, you arc he: graces will appear, and there's an end. 131

Beat . Will you not tell. me who told you so? Bene. No, you shall pardon me. Beat . Nor will you not tell me who yon are? Bene. Not now. 135

Beat. That I was disdainful, and that I had my good wit out of the 'Hundred Merry Tales.' Well, this was S i p i o r Benedick that said so.

Bene. What's he? Beat. I am sure you know him well enough. Bene. Not I, believe me. 141

Beat . Did lie never make you laugh?

11 5 Answer, clerk; c n. 120 at a word: t o be brief 124 do him 30 ill-well; rrfirermt hir imprrfrclion ro perfectly 126 u and down: ail over 131 an end: n o more to be $aid $37 'Rundred Merry Tales'; cf . n.

filuc71, A.do About Nothiny, XI. a

Bene. I pray you, what is he? Bent. Why, he is the prince's jester: a very

dull fool; only his gift is in devising impossible slanders: none but; libertines delight in him; and the commendation is not in his wit, but in his villainy; for he both pleases men and angers them, and then they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the fleet: I woul6 he had boarded me ! 151

Bene. When I know the gentleman, I'll tell him what you 3tt-y.

Beat. Do, do: he'll but break a comparison or two on me; which, peradventure not marked or not laughed at, strikes him into melancholy; and then there's a partridge wing saved, for the fool will eat no supper that night. Music for We must follow the leaders. the dance.

Bene. In every good thing. 169

Beat. Nay, if they lead to any ill, I will leave them at the next turning. Dance.

Exeunt [all but Don John, Borachio, and Claudio] .

D: John. Sure my brother is amorous on Hero, and hath withdrawn her father to break with him about it. The ladies follow her and but one visor remains.

Bora. And that is Claudio: I h o w him by his bearing. 168

D. John. Are you not Signior Benedick? Claud. You lillow me well; I am he. D. John. Signior, you are very near my

145 only his gift: his only talent 150 fleet; cf..n. 154 break a comparison: crock o joke 171 near: intimate ulv

&ch Ado A bout Nothing, 11. i "3

brcrther in his love: he is enamoured on Nero; J pray you, dissuade him from her; she is no equal for his birth: yon may do the part of an honest man in it.

Claud. How know yon he loves her? 176

D. John. I heard him swear his affection. Bora. So did I too; and he swore he would

marry her to-night. D. John. Come, let us to the banquet. 180

Ezeunt Don John and Borachio.

Claud. Thus answer I in name of Benedick, But hear these ill news with the ears of Claudio. 'Tis certain so; the prince woos for himself. Friendship is constant in all other things 184

Save in the office and affairs of love: Therefore all hearts in love use their own

tongues ; Let every eye negotiate for itself And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch 18s

Against wliose charms faith melteth into blood. This is an accident of hourly proof, Which I mistrusted not. Farewell, therefore,

Hero! Enter Benedick.

Bene. Count Claudio? 192

Claud. Yea, the same. Bene. Come, will you go with me? Claud. Whither ? Befae. Even to the next willow, about your

own business, count. What fashion will you wear the garland of? About your neck, like a

183 certain : certainly 186 use; cf. n. 189 Against: in contact with 196 willow; cf. n

Xuch Ado About Nothing, II . i

usurer's chain? or under your arm, like a lieu- tenant's scarf? You must wear i t one way, for the prince hath got your Hero. 201

Claud. I wish him joy of her. Bene. Why, that's spoken like an honwt

drovier: so they sell bullocks. But did you think the prince would have served you thus? nor

Claud. I pray you, leave me. Bene. Ho! now you strike like the blind man:

'twas the boy that stole your meat, and you'll beat the post. 209

Claud. If i t will not be, I'll leave you. Exit . Bene. N e s ! poor hurt fowl. Now will he

creep into sedges. But, that my lady Beatrice should know me, and not know me! The prince's fool! Ha! i t may be I go under that title because I am merry, Yea, but so I am apt to do myself wrong; I am not so reputed: it: is the base though bitter disposition of Beatrice that puts the world into her person, and so gives me out. Well, I'll be revenged as I may. 219

Enter the Prince.

D. Pedro. Now, signior, where's the count' Did you see him?

Bene. Troth, my lord, I have played the par t of Lady Fame. I found him here as melancholy as a lodge in a warren. I told him, and I think I told him true, that your Grace had got the good will of this young lady; and I offered him

204 drovier : ca t f le-dealer 207 like the blind man. tf. n. 212 creep into sedges- cf. 91. 217 base though bitter: cf. n. 218 puts . . person : idetitifies the world with Iterself gives

me out: repr~sents me 223 Lady Fame; c f . n. 124 lodge in a warren: solitury game-keeper's hut

Much Ado About h70thhz.g, 11. i

my company to rr willow tree, either to make him a garland, as being forsaken, or to bind him up a rod, as being worthy to be whipped. 229

D. Pedro. T o be whipped ! What's his fault? Bene. The flat transgression of a school-boy,

who, being overjoy'd with finding a bird's nest, shows i t his companion, and he steals it. 233

D. Pedro. ??Tilt thou make a trust a transgression? The transgression is in the stealer.

Bene. Yet it had not been amiss the rod had been made, and the garland too; for the garland he might have worn himself, and the rod he might have bestowed on you, who, as I take it, have stolen his bird's nest. 240

D. Pedro. I will but teach them t o sing, and restore them to tlie owner.

Ben,e. I f their singing answer your saying, by my faith, you say honestly. 244

I). Pedro. The Lady Beatrice hat11 a quarrel t o you: the gentleman that danced with her told her she is much wronged by you.

Bene. O ! she misused me past the endurance of a block: an aa.k but with one green leaf on it, would have answered her: my very visor began to assume life and scold with her. She told me, not thinking I had been myself, thnt I was the prince's jester; thnt I mas duller than a great thaw; huddling jest upon jest with such impossible conveyance upon me, that I stood like a man at a mark, with a whole army shooting at

228 bind . . rod: bie ~ e v c r a l willow szuitches into a scourge 231 flat: downright 241 them: the birds in the nest 243, 244 C f . n. 248 misused: abused 254 thaw: unseasonable wet spell its minter huddling: piling 255 impossible conveyance: incredible juggJery 256 man at a mark; c f . n.

BIuch Ado About Noticing, I I . s'

me. She speaks poniards, and every word stabs: if her breath were as terrible as her terminations, there were no living near her; she would infect to tlie north star. I would not marry her, though she were endowed with all that Adam hod left him before he transgressed: she would have made Hercules have turned spit, yea, and have cleft his club to make the fire too. Come, talk not of her; you shall find her the infernal Ate in good apparel. I would to God some scholar .would colljure her, for certainly, while she is here, a man may live as quiet in hell as in a sanctuary; and people sin upon purpose because they would go thither; so, indeed, all disquiet, horror and perturbation follow her. 271

Enter ~baudio , Beatrice, Hero, and Eeorrrlto.

D. Pedro, Look ! here she comes. Bene. Will your Grace command me any

gemice to the world's end? I will go on the slightest errand now to the Antipodes that you can devise to send me on; I will fetch you a tootllpicker now from the furthest i~lcll of Asia; bring you the length of Prester John's foot; fetch you a hair off the Great Cham's beard; do you any embassage to the Pigmies, rather than hold three words' conference with this harpy. You have no employment for me? 282

D. Pedro. None, but to desire your good company.

258 terminations: epitltcfsts 259 infect, efc.;.cf. n. 263 Hercules, etc.; c f . n. 265 infernal Ate, rtc,; c f . n, 266 some scholar, efc.; c f . n. 278-282 Prester John's foot, #fc.; cf. notes

iliuch A d o About Nothilty, I I . i

Bene. 0 God, sir, here's a dish I love not: I cannot endure my Lady Tongue. Exit. D, Pedro. Come, lady, come; you have lost

the heart of Signior Benedick. 288

Beat. Indeed, my lord, he lent it me awhile; and I gave him use for it, a double heart for a single one: marry, once before he won it of me with false dice, therefore your Grace may well say I have lost it. 293

D. Pedro. You have put him down, lady, you have put him down.

Beat. So I ~vould not he should do me, my lord, lest I should prove the mother of fools. I have brought Count Claudio, whom you sent me to seek. 200

D. Pedro. Why, how now, count! wherefore are you sad?

Claud. Not sad, my lord. D. Pedro. FIom then? Sick? Count. Neither, my lord. 304

Beat. The count is neither sad, nor sick, nor merry, nor well; but civil count, civil as an orange, and something of that jealous complexion. 308

D. Pedro. I' faith, lady, I think your blazon to be true; though, 1'11 be sworn, if he be so, his conceit is false. Here, Claudio, I have wooed in thy name, and fair Hero is won; I have brolte with her father, and, his good will obtained; name the day of marriage, and God give thee joy !

Leon. Count, take of me my daughter, and

293 use: rrsrcry, interest 294 put him down: vanquished him 306 civil . . civil; cf. n. 309 blazon : dcscrifitiotl. 31 1 conceit: conception

with her my fo r t~~nes : his Grace hath made the match, and all p a c e say Amen to it! 317

Beat. Speak, count, 'tis your cue. Claud. Silence is the perfectest herald of ,joy:

I were but little happy, if I could say how ruuch. Lady, as you are mine, I am yours: I give away myself for you and dote upon the exchange. 322

Beat. Speak, cousin; or, if you cannot, stop his mouth with a kiss, and let not him speak neither. 3%

D. Pedro. In faith, lady, you have a merry heart.

B ~ a t . Yea, my lord; I thank it, poor fool, it keeps on the windy side of care. M y cousin tells him in his ear that he is in her heart. 330

Claud. And so she doth, cousin. Bent. Good Lord, for alliance! Thus goes

every one t o the world but I, and I am sum- burnt. I may sit in a corner and cry heigh-ho for a husband! 305

D. Pedro. Lady Beatrice, I will get you one. Beat. I would rather have one of your father's

getting. I-Iath your Grace ne'er a brother like you? Your father got excellent husbands, if a maid could come by them. 340

D. Pedro. Will you have me, lady? Beat. No, my lord, unless I might have an-

other for working days : your Grace is too costly to wear every day. But, I beseech your Grace, pardon me; I was born to speak all mirth and no matter. 348

317 all grace: i.e. the grace of God 329 windy: mitrdzuard (or advantogcous) tells . . ear: whispers 332 alliance; cf. 1;. goes . . to the world: marries 334 sun-burnt; cf. n. 338 getting: begettmg 346 ma.tter: sense

D. Pedro. Your silence most offends me, and to be merry best becomes you; for, out of quea- tion, you were born in a merry hour.

Bent. No, sure, my lord, my mother cried; but then there mas a star danced, and under that was I born. Cousins, God give you j op ! 352

Leon. Niece, will you look to those things I told you of ?

Beat, I cry you mercy, uncle. By your Grace's pardon. Exit Beat rice.

D. Pedro. By my troth, a pleasant-spirited lady. 358

Leon. There's little of the melancholy ele- ment in her, my lord: she is never sad but when she sleeps; and not ever sad then, for I have heard my daughter say, she hath often dreamed 3f unhappiness and waked hersclf with laughing.

D. Pedro. She cannot endure to hear tell of a husband. 3G5

Leon. O! b y no means: she mocks all her wooers out of suit.

D. Pedro. She were an excellent wife for Benedick. 369

Leon. 0 Lord! my lord, if they mere but a week married, they ~vouid talk ttiemselres mad.

D. Pedro. Count Claudio, when mean you to go to church? 373

Claud. To-morrow, my lord. Time goes on crutches till love have all his rites.

Leon. Not till Monday, my dear son, which is hence a just seven-night; and a time too brief too, to have all things answer my mind. 378

361 ever: aluloys 367 suit: courtsl!ip 373 go to church: marry 378 answer my mind: correspond ruirli tny intetrtion -.

Blzlch A d o About Nothing, I I . i

D. Pedro. Come, you shake the head at so long a breathing; but, I warrant thee, Clandio, the time shall not go dully by us. I will in the interim undertake one of Hercules' labours, which is, to bring Signior Benedick and the Lady Beatrice into a mountain of affection the one with the other. I would fain have it a match; and I doubt not but to fashioa it, if you three will but minister such assistance as I shall give you direction. 388

Leon. My lord, I am for you, though it cost me ten nights' watchings.

Claud. And I, my lord, D. Pedro. And you too, gentle Hero? 392

Hero. I will do any modest office, my lord, to help my cousin to a good husband.

D. Pedro. And Benedick is not the unhope- fullest husband that I know. Thus far can I praise him; he is of a noble strain, of approved valour, and confirmed honesty. I will teach you how to humour your cousin, that she shall fall in love with Benediclr; and I, with your ~ V O

helps, will so practise on Benediclr that, in despite of his quick wit and his queasy stomach, he shall fall in love with Beatrice. If we can do this, Cupid is no longer an archer: his glory shall be ours, for me are the only love-gods. Go in with me, and I will tell you my drift. 406

Exeunt.

380 breathing: delay 387 minister: ofe'cr 389 am for you: occept your proposal 397 strain: lineage approved: tested 398 honesty: hotror 402 queasy stomach: sqwsarnish taste 406 drift: PurPorr

M.21~7~ Ado About Nothing, XI. ii 31

Scene Two

[ T ~ L c Same]

Enter Don John. and Bcrachio.

D. John. I t is so; the Count Claudio shall marry the daug21,ter of Leonato.

Bora. Yea, my lord; but I can cross it. D. John. Any bar, any cross, any impedi-

ment will be medicinable .to me: I am sick in displeasure to him, and whatsoever comes athwart his affection ranges evenly with mine. How canst thou cross this marriage? 8

Bora. Not honestly, my lord; but so covertly that no dishonesty shall appe:ir in me.

D. John. Show me briefly how. Bora. I think I told your lordship, a year

since, how much I am in the favour of Margaret, the waiting-gentlewoman to Hero. 14

D. John.. I remember. Bora. I can, a t any unseasonable instant of

the night, appoint her to look out a t her lady's chamber-windo~v.

D. John. What life is in that, to be the death of this marriage ? 20

Bora. The poison of that lies in you to temper. Go you to the prince pour brother; spare not to tell him, that he hath wronged his honour in marrying the renolmcd Claudia,- whose estimation do you miglltily hold up,-to a contaminated stale, such a one as Hero. 26

D. John. What proof shall I make of tha t?

I shall: i s to 6 displeasure : dislike 7 affection : liking ranges evenly: runs parallel 21 lies in: depends upon 22 temper: mix 25 estimation: worth 26 stale: wanton

Mu& A d o About NotJzing, I I . ii

Bora. Proof enough to misuse tlie prince, to vex Claudio, t o undo I-Iero, and kill Leonato. Look you for any other issue?

D. John. Only to despite them, I will en- deavour any thing, 8 2

Bora. Go, then; find me a meet hour to draw Don Pedro and the Count Claudio alone: tell them that you know that Hero loves me; irite~id a kind of zeal both to the prince and Claudio, as-in love of your brother's honour, who hath made this match, and his friend's reputation, who is thus like to be cozened with the s e m blance of a maid,-that you have discovered thus. They will scarcely believe this without trial: offer them instances, which shall bear no less likelihood than to see me a t her cliamber- window, hear me call Margaret Hero; hear Mar- garet term me Claudio; and bring them to see this the very night; before tlie intended wedding: for in the meantime I will so fashion the matter that Hero shall be absent; and there shall appear such seeming .truth of Hero's disloyalty, that jealousy shall be called assurmcc, and all the preparation overthrown. :,I

D. John. Grow this to what adverse issue i t can, I will put it in practice. Be cunning in the morki~ig this, aiid thy fee is a thousand ducats.

Bora. Be you constant in the accusation, and my cunning st~all noi; shame me. 56

D. John. I will presently go learn their day of marriage. Exeunt.

28 misuse: delude 35 intend: pretend 39 cozened: deceived 42 instances: proof^ 45 term nic Claudio; cf. 11. SO jealousy: suspicion 5 1 preparation : i.e. for the mawiag. 54 ducats: l t d i u n coitts, worth about a doll#

Scene Three

Enter Benediclc, alone.

Bene. Boy! [Enter Boy,]

Boy . S i p i o r ? Bene. I n my chrtmber-window lies s book;

bring i t hither to me in the orcllard. 4

Boy. I am here already, sir. Bene. I know that; but I ~vould have thee

hence, and here again. [ E x i t Boy.] I do much wonder that one man, seeing 11ow rnucll another man is a fool when he dedicates his bellaviours to love, will, after Ile hat11 lauglied a t such shallow follies in others, become tlie argument of his own scorn by falling in love: mid sucli a man is( Claudio. I have lrno~mi, when there was no music with him but the drum and the fife; and now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe: I have known, when he would have walked ten mile afoot to see a good armour; and now will he lie ten nights awake, carving the fashion of a new doublet. H e was wont to speak plain and to the purpose, like an honest man and a soldier; and now is he turned orthographer; his words are a very fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes. May I be so converted, and see with these eyes? I cannot tell; I think not: I will not be sworn but love may transform me t o an oyster; but I'll take my oath on it, till he

5 here already; cf. n, 15 tabor; cf. n. IR cariiing: moulding 19 doublet: close f i f i r t ig coot

84 Iliuch A d o About Nothing, II . iii

have made an oyster of me, he shall never make me such a fool. One woman is fair, yet I am well; another is wise, yet I am well; another virtuous, yet I am well; but till all graces be in one viomarl, one woman sliall not come in my grace. Rich she sllall be, that's certain; wise, or 1'11 none; virtuous, or I'll never cheapen her; fair, or I'll never look on her; mild, or come not near me; noble, or not I for an angel; of good discourse, an excellent musician, and her hair shall be of what colour i t please God. I13! the prince and Monsieur Love! I will hide me in the arbour. [N'ithdraws.]

Enter Prince, Leonato, CEaudio, and Balthazar, 7cvith Music.

D. Pedro. Come, shall we hear this music? 40

Claud. Yea, my good lord. Elow still the evening is,

As hush'd on purpose to grace harmony! D. Pedro. See you where Benedick hath hid

himself? Claud. 0 ! very well, my lord: the music

ended, 44

We'll fit the kid-fox with n penny-worth. D. Pedro. Come, Balthazar, we'll hear that

song again. Balth. 0 ! good my lord, tax not so bad a voice

T o slander music any more than once. 48

33 1'11 none: I'll have none of her cheapen: bargain for 35 angel; cf. n. 37 of whnt colour, etc.; cf. n. 39 S. d . Balthazar; cf. n. 42 grace harmony: do Itonor to musk 45 kid-fqx; cf. n. penny-worth : a good bargain 47 tax: ~ m p o s e a task

Jfuch Ado About Notiling, II . iii 315

D. Pedro. It is the witness still of excellency, T o put a strange face on his own perfection. I pray thee, sing, and let mc woo 110 more.

B a l t f ~ . Because yon talk of wooing, I will sing; Since many a wooer doth commence his suit 53

T o her he thinks not worthy; yet he woos; Yet wiIl he swear he loves. D. Pedro. Nay, pray thee, come;

Or if thou .crrilt hold longer argument, 56

Do it in notes. Balth. Note this before my notes;

There's not a note of mine that's worth the noting.

D. Pedro. Why these arc very crotchets that he speaks;

Notes, notes, forsooth, and nothing ! [Music.] Bene. Now, divine air! now is his soul ra-

vished! I s it not strange that sheeps' guts should hale souls out of men's bodies? IVell, a horn for my money, when all's done. 04

The Song. [Baltlt.]

'Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, Men were deceivers ever ;

One foot in sea, and one on shore, T o one thing constant never. 68

Then sigh not so, But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny, Converting all your sounds of woe 753

Into Hey nonny, nonny.

49 50 cf. n. 51 woo: enfreat 57 notes: mu& 59'crotchets. cf. n. 60 Cf. n. 62 sheeps' &ts: i.e. violin sfrings

'Sing no more ditties, sing no mo Of dumps so dull and heavy;

The fraud of men was ever so, 76

Since summer first was leavy. Then sigh not so, But let then1 go,

And be you blithe and bonny, 80

Converting all your sounds of woe Illto IIey nonny, nonny.'

D. Pedro. By my troth, a good song. Balth. And an ill singer, my lord. 84

D. Pedro. Ha, no, no, faith ; thou singest well enough for a shift.

Bette. [Aside. ] An lie Iiad been a dog that should have howled thus, they would have hanged him; and I pray God his bad voice bode no mischief. I had as lief have heard the night-raven, come what plague could have come after it. B 1

D. Pedro. Tea, marry, Dost thou hear, Balthazar? I pray thee, get us some excellent music, for to-morrow night me would have i t a t the Lady Hero's chamber-window.

Balt?~. The best I can, my lord. 06

D. Pedro. Do so: farewell. Exit Balthasar. Come hither, Leonato: what was it you told me of to-day, that your nicce Beatrice was in love with Sig~lior Be~iedick? 100

Claud. 0 ! ay:-[Aside to D. Pedro.] Stalk on, stalk on; the fowl sits. I did never t l h k that lady would have loved any man.

Leon. No, nor I neither ; but most wonderful

74 mn: mere 75 dumps: nrortrrlful t1rne.r 7: leavy: leafy 86 shift: t , lokeshif t 90 r~iv,ht-raven; cj . n. 92 Yea, marry; cf. n. 101 Stallc on, etc.; Ef. M

'Mzlcl& Ado About Notiiing, 11. iii 87

that she should so dote on Signior Bznedick, whom she hath in all outward behaviours seemed ever to abhor. 107

Bene. [Aside.] Is't possible? Sits the mind in that corner?

Leon. By my troth, my lord, I cannot tell what to think of it but that she loves him with an enraged affection: it is past the infinite of thought. 113

D. Pedro. May be she doth but counterfeit. Clazrd. Faith, like enough, Leon. 0 God ! counterfeit! There was never

counterfeit of passion came so near the life of passion as she discovers it. D. Pedro. Why, what effects of passion shows

ahe? 120

Claud. [Aside.] Bait the hook well: this fish will bite.

Leo~a. What effects, my lord? She mill sit you-[To Claudio.] You heard my daughter tell YOU how. 125

Claud. She did, indeed. D, Pedro. HOW, how, I pray you? You amaze

me: I would have thought her spirit had been invincible against all assaults of affection. 129

Leon. I would have sworn it had, my lord; especially against Benedick.

Bene. [Aside.] I should think this a gull, but that the white-bearded fellow speaks it: knavery cannot, sure, hide itself in such reverence.

Clnzid. [Aside.] He hath ta'en the infection: hold it up. 136

112 enraged : frenzied infinite: utmost 8ower 132 gull: trick 136 hold it up: keep it up

88 Mucli A d o A bout Nothing, II . iii

D. Pedro. Hath she made her affection known to Benedick?

Leon. No; and swears she never will: that's her torment. 140

CEaz~d. 'Tis true, indeed; so your daughter says: 'Shall I,' says she, 'that have so oft en- countered him wit11 scorn, write to him that I love him?' 144

Leon. This says she now when she is beginning to write to him; for she'll be up twenty times a night, and there will she sit in her smock till she have writ a sheet of paper: my daughter tells us all. 149

Claz~d. Now you talk cf a sheet of paper, I remember a pretty jest your daughter told us of.

Leon. O! when she had writ it, and was reading it over, she found Benedick and Beatrice between the sheet?

Claud. That. 1.55

Leon. O! she tore the letter into a thousand halfpence; railed at herself, that she should be so immodest to write to one that she knew would flout her: 'I measure him,' says she, 'by my own spirit; for I should flout him, if he writ to me; yea, though I love him, I should.' 1.61

Claud. Then down upon her knees she falls, weeps, sobs, beats her heart, tears her hair, prays, curses ; 'O sweet Benedick ! God give me patience !' 165

Leon. She dot11 indeed; my daughter says so; and the ecstasy hath so much overborne her, that my daughter is sometimes afeard she will 147 mock: uundmgarment 155 That: Thot wet i t 157 halfpence: pieces small as silver Irafffiettce 167 ecstasy: madness

Much A d o About Nothing, XI. iii 99

do n desperate outrage to herself. I t is very true.

D. Pedro. It were good that Benedick knew of i t by some other, if she will not discover it. ,172

Claud. To what end? he would but make a sport of it and torment the poor lady worse. D. Pedro. An lie should, it were an alms to

hang him. She's an excellent sweet lady, and, out of all suspicion, she is virtuous. 17 7

Claud. And she is excecding wise. D. Pedro. In everything but in loving Bene-

dick, 180

Leon. O! my lord, wisdom and blood com- bating in so tender a body, we have ten proofs to one that blood hath the victory. I am sorry for her, as I have just cause, being her uncle and her guardian. 185

D. Pedro. I ~vould she had bestowed this dotage on me; I mould hare daffed all other respects and made lier half myself. I pray you, tell Benedick of it, and hear what a' will say. 189

Leon. Were i t good, think you? Claud. Hero thinks surely she will die; for

she says she will die if he loye lier not, and she will die ere she make hcr love known, and she will die if he woo her, rather than she will bate one breath of her accustomed crossness. 195

D. Pedro. She doth ~vell: if sbe should make tender of her love, 'tis very possible he'll scorn it; for the man,-as you know all,-hath a contemptible spirit.

169 outrage: act of violence 175 alms: good deed 177 out of: beyottd 187 dotage: doting daffed: put aridr 188 respects: considerofwns half myself: my w f e 197 tender: o f i r 198 contemptible: contemptwow

40 illuclc Ado About NotJ~ifig, II . iii

Claud. H e is a very proper man. 200

D. Pedro. H e 11a.tll indeed a good outward happiness.

Claud. 'Fore God, and in my mind, very wise. D. Pedro. E-le doth indeed show some sparks

tha t are like wit. 205

Leon. And I take him to be valiant. D. Pedro. As Hector, I assure you: and in

the managing of quarrels you may say he is wise; for either he avoids them with great dis- cretion, or undertakes them with a most Chris- tian-like fear. 211

Leon. If he do fear God, a' must necessarily keep peace: if he brenlr the peace, he ought to enter into a qriurrcl with fear and Lrernbling.

D. Pedro. And so will he do; for the man doth fear God, howsoever i t seems not in him by some large jests he will make. Wcll, I am sorry for your niece. Shall we go seek Benedick, and tell him of her love? 219 .

Claud. Never tell him, my lord: let her wear it out with good counsel.

Leon. Nay , tl~at's impossible: she may wear her heart out first. 223

D. Pedro. Well, we will hear further of i t by your daughter: let i t cool the while. I love Benedick well, and I could wish he would mo- destly examine himself, to see how much he is unworthy to have so good a lady. 22s

Leon. A f y lord, will you walk ? dinner is ready. Claud. [Aside.] If hc do not dote on her upon

this, I will never trust my expectation.

200 proper : good-looking 201 outward happiness: lucky exterior 217 large: brood 929 walk; go

D. Pedro. [Aside.] Let there be the same net spread for her; and that must your daughter and her gentlewoman carry. The sport will be, when they hold one an opinion of another's dotage, and no such matter: that's the x e n e that I would see, which will be merely a dumb- show. Let us send her to call him in to dinner. 238

Exeunt [all but Be?aediclc].

Bene. [Advancing from the arbour.] This can be no trick: the conference was sadly borne. They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity tile lady: it seems, her affections have their full bent. Love me! why, i t must be requited. I hear how I am censured: they say I will bear myself proudly, if I perceive the love come from her ; they say too that she will rather die than @re any sign of affection. I did never think to marry: I must not seem proud: happy are they that hear their detractioils, and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair: 'ti9 a truth, I can bear them witness ; and virtuous : 'tis so, I cannot reprove i t ; and wise, but for loving me: by my troth, i t is no addition to her wit, nor no great argument of her folly, for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me, because I have railed so long against marriage; but doth not the appetite al ter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot en-

234 carry: carry out 236 no such matter: ?rollring of tlre kind exists 240 sadly borne: scr io i~s l y conducted 243 full bent: estrerrte teltsion 249 out tllem to mending: profit by tktn 252 reprove: disprove 253 addition: honor 256 quirks: jests

42 Much Ado About Nothing, 11. iii

dnre in his age. Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humour? No; the world must be peopled. When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice. By this day! she's a fair kdy: I do spy some marks of love in her. 260

Enter Beatrice.

Beat . Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner.

Bene. Fair Beatrice, I thank you for your pains. 270

Beat . I took no more pains for those thanks than you take pains to thank me: if it had been painful, I would not have come.

Bene. You take pleasure then in the message? Beat. Yea, jus.t so much as you may take upon

a knife's point, and choke a daw withal. You have no stomach, signior: fare you well. Exit.

Bene. Ha ! 'Against my will I am sent to bid you come in to dinner,' there's a double meaning in that. 'I took no more pains for those thanks than you took pains to thank me,' that's as much as to say, Any pains that I take for you is as easy as thanks. If I do not take pity of her, I am a villain; if I do not love her, I am a Jew. I will go get her picture. Exit.

260 quips: sarcasms sentences: wise sajrings 261 paper bullets. cf. n. 276 choke . . wiChal: mart than a mouthful fo r o jacbdooo

8Iuch Ado About N o t l z i n ~ ~ III . i

ACT THIRD

Scene One

[Leonato's Orchard]

Enter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula.

Hero. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour; There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice Proposing with the prince and Claudio: Whisper her ear, and tell her, I and Ursula 4

Walk in the orchard, and our wllole discourse I s all of her; say that thou overheard'st us, And bid her stcal into the pleached bower, Where honey-sucklcs, ripen'd by the sun, 8

Forbid the sun to enter; like favourites, Made proud by princes, that advance their pride Against that power that bred it. There will she

hide her, To listen our propose. This is tliy office; l a Bear thee well in i t and leave us alone.

Marg. I'll make her come, I warrant you, presently. [Exit.]

Hero. Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come, As we do trace this alley up and down, 10

Our tall; must only be of Benedick: When I do name him, let it be thy part To praise him more than ever man did merit. My talk to thee must be Ilow Benedick 20

Is sick in love with Beatrice: of this matter Is little Cupid's crafty arrow made, That only wounds by hearsay.

3 Proposing: talking 12 propose: conversation 16 trace: traverse 23 only . . bearsay: hearsay olowr

4 IlJuch Ado About Nothing, III . i

Enter Beatrice [into the bower].

Now begin ; For look where Beatrice, like a lapwing, runs 24

Close by the ground, to hear our conference. Urs. The plensant'st angling is to see the fish

Cut with her golden oarg the silver stream, And greedily devour the treacherous bait: 28

So angle we for Beatrice; who even now I s couched in the woodbine coverture. Fear you not my part of the dialogue.

Hero. Then go we near her, that her ear lose nothing 82

Of the false sweet bait that we lay for it.

[T7~ey advnnce towards the bower.] Nc, t d y , Ursula, she is too disdainful; 1 know her spirits are as coy and wild As haggards of the roclc.

Urs. But are you sure 36

That Benedick loves Beatrice so entirely? Hero. So says the prince, and my new-trothed

lord. Urs . And did they bid you tell her of it,

madam ? Hero. They did entreat me t,o acquaint her

of i t ; 40

But 1 persuaded them, if they lov'd Benedick, To wish him wrestle with affection, And never to let Beatrice know of i.1;.

Urs. Why did you so? Doth not the gentleman Deserve as full as fortunate a bed 46

As ever Beatrice s11all couch upon?

30 woodbine covcrturc: hot:e\lsuckle bower 36 haggards: female haeclks, up in freedom 45 as full as; cf. n.

~ i c h Ado About Nothing, I I I . i 45 =-

Hero. 0 god of love! I know he dot11 deserve As much as may be yielded to a man; 48

But nature never fram'd a woman's heart Of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice; Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes, bfisprising what they look on, and her wit 52

Values itself so llighly, that to her All matter else seems weak. She cannot love Nor take no shape nor project of affection, She is so self-endear'd.

UTS. Sure, I think so ; 50

And therefore certainly it were not good She knew his love, lest she make sport at it.

Hero. Why, you speak truth. I never pet saw man,

How wise, how noble, young, how rarely fea- t ~ ~ r ' d , 00

But she would spell him backward: if fair-fac'd, She would swcur the gentleman should be licr

sister ; If black, why, Nature, drawing of an antic, Made a foul blot ; if tall, a lance iLl-headed ; 04

If low, an agate very vilely cut; If speaking, why, a vane blown with all minds; If silent, why, a block moved with none. So turns she elvery man the wrong side out, 68

And never gives to truth and virtue that Which sin~pleness and merit purchaseth.

Urs. Sure, sure, such carping is !not commendable.

52 Misprising: despin'rzg 55 project: idea 56 self-endear'd : f l t ll of self- love 60 How: Jtowever 61 spell . . backward; cf. ta.

63 black: dark antic: grotesque f igwe 65 agate: hltntarr figrtrc crct cameo-like or* agate 70 purchaseth: descrvrdly obtain

46 M Z C C ~ A d o About Nothing, III . i

Hero. No; not to be so odd and from all fashions 72

As Beatrice is, cannot be commendable. But who dare tell her so? If I should speak, She would mock me into air: 0 ! she would

laugh me Out of myself, press me to death with wit. 713

Therefore let Bencdick, like cover'd fire, Consume away in sighs, waste inwardly: It were a better death .than die with mocks, Which is as bad as die with tickling. 80

Urs. Yet tell her of it: hear whaL she will say. Ilero. No; rather I will go to Benedick,

And counsel him to fight against his passion. A,nd, truly, I'll devise some honest slanders 84

To stain my co~zsin with. One doth not know How much an ill word may empoison liking.

Urs. O! do not do your cousin such a wrong. She cannot be so much without true judgment,- Having so swift a i d excellent a wit RD

As she is priz'd to have,-as to refuse So rare a gentleman as Signior Benedick.

Hero. He is the only man of Italy, 92

Always excepted niy dear Clandio. Urs. I pray you, be not angry with me,

madam, Speaking my fancy: Signior Benedick, For shape, for bearing, argument and vnlour, 96

G ~ e s foremost in report through Italy. Hero. Indeed, he hath an excellent good name. Urs. His excellence did earn it, ere he had it.

When are you married, madam? loo

72 from: contrary to 84 honest: not infrrrious to character 90 priz'd: esteemed 96 argument: power of reason

IlX?~ch A d o About Nothing, III . ii 47

Hero. FTliy, every day-to-morrow. Come, go in :

I'll show thee some attires, and have thy counsel Which is the best to furnish me to-morrow.

Urs. [Aside t o Hero.] She's lim'd, I warrant you: we have caught her, madam. 104

Hero. [Aside to Urs.] If it prove so, then loving goes by haps:

Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps. Exeunt Hero and Ursula.

Beat. [Advancing.] What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? 101

Stand I condemn'd for pride and scorn so much ?

Contempt, farewell ! and maiden pride, adieu ! No glory lives behind the back of such.

And, Benediclr, love on; I will requite thee, Taming my wild heart to thy loving hand: 112

If thou dost l.ove, my kindness shall incite thee T o bind our loves up in a holy band;

For others say thou dost deserve, and I Believe it better than reportingly, Exit.

Scene Two

[Leottato's House?]

Enter Prince, Claudio, Benediclr, and Lconato,

D. Pedro. I do but stay till your marriage be consummate, and then go I toward Arragon.

Claud. I'll bring you thither, my lord, i f you'll vouchsafe me.

101 every day---to-morrow* cf. n. 104 lim'd: snared 105 haps: chances 110 6ehind the back; cf. n. 112 Cf. M. 114 band: bond 116 better . . reportingly: on better evidence than report

D. Pedro. Nay, that would be as great a soil in the new gloss of your marriage, as to show a child his new coat and forbid him to wear it. I will only be bold with Benedick for his company; for, from tlic crown of his head to the sole of his foot, f ~ c is all mirth: he hath twice or thrice cut Cupid's bow-string, and t h e little hangman dare not slloot a t 11im. He hat11 a heart as sound as a bell, and his tongue is tlie clapper; for what his heart tllinks his tongue speaks.

Bene. Gallants, I am not as I hove been. Leon. So say I : methinks you are sadder. 16

Claud. I hope he be in love. D. Pedro. Hang him, truant! there's no true

drop of blood in him, to be truly touched with love. If Ile be sad, he wants money. 20

Bene. I have the tooth-ache. D. Pedro. Draw it. Bene. Hang it. Claud. You must hang it first, and draw it

afterwards. 25

D. Pedro. What! sigh for the tooth-ache? Leon. ?IThere is but a hun~our or a worm? Bene. Well, every one con master a grief but

he that has it, 29

CEaztd. Yet say I, he, is in love. D. Pedro, There is no appearance of fancy ia

him, unless it be a fancy that lie hath to strange disguises ; as, to be a Dutchman to-day, a French- man to-morrow, or in the shape of two countries at once, as a German from the waist downward, all slops, and a Spaniard from the hip upward,

1 1 hangman : rogue 24 'hang . . draw; cf. n. 27 worm; cf . n. 31 fancy: lour 36 slops: loose brecche$

Much A d o About Noth.ing, I I I . ii 49

no doublet. Unless he hare a fancy to this foolery, as i t appears he hath, he is no fool for fancy, as you would have it appear he is. 39

Claud. I f he be not in love with some woman, there is no believing old signs: a' brushes his hat a mornings ; what should that bode?

D. Pedro. Hath any man seen him a t the barber's ? 44

Cluud. No, but the barber's man hat;h been seen with him; and the old ornament of his cl~eelc bath already stuffed tennis-balls.

Leon. Indeed he looks younger than he did, by tlie loss of a beard. 40

D. Pedro. Nay, a' rubs Iiimself with civet: can you smell him out by that?

Clazid. That's as much as to say the sweet youth's in love. 5 3

D. Pedro. The greatest note of it is his melancholy.

Claud. And when was he wont to wash his face ? 57

D. Pedro. Yea, or to paint himself? for tlie which, I hear what they say of him.

Claud. Nay, but liis jesting spirit; which is now crept into a lute-string, and new-governed by stops.

D. Pedro. Indeed, that tells a heavy tale for him. Conclude, conclude he is in love. 64

Clnz~d. Nay , b u t I know who loves him. D. Pedro. That would I know too: I warrant,

one that knows him not.

37 no doublet; E f . n. 46 the old ornament, etc.; cf. n. 50 civet: a perfume 62 stops: frets, regulating the round of the lutestring

Clnud. Yes, and his ill conditions; and in despite of all, dies for him. 09

D. Pedro. She shall be buried wit11 her face upwards.

Bene. Yet is this no charm for the tooth-ache. Old signior, walk aside wit11 me: I have studied eight or nine wise words to speak to you, which these hobby-horses must not hear. 75

[Exetlnt Benedick atzd Leonnfo.] D. Pedro. For my life, to break with him

about Beatrice. Clnud. 'Tis even so. Hero and Margaret have

by this played their parts with Beatrice, and then the two bears will not bite one another when they meet. 81

Enter John the Bastard.

D. Jolzn. M y Iord ancl brother, God save you! D. Pedro. Good den, brother. D. John. If your leisure served, I would

epeak with you. 86

D. Pedro. In private? D. John. If it please you; yet Count Claudio

may hear, for what I would speak of concerns him. 88

D. Pedro. What's the matter? D. John. [To Claudio.] Means your lordship

to be married to-morrow ? 02

D. Pedro. You know he does. D. John . I know not that, when he knows

what I know.

68 conditions: characieristics 70 buried, ctc.; cf. n. 75 hobby-horses; cf. n. 83 Good den: Good men (itrq) 90 Cf. n.

Mzlch Ado About Notlt,irlLq, I I I . ii 51

Claud. If there be any impediment, I pray you discover it. 97

D. John. Yon may think I love you not: let that appear hereafter, and aim better a t me by that I now will manifest. For my brother, I think he holds you well, and in dearness of heart hat11 holp to effect your ensuing marriage ; surely suit ill spent, and labour ill bestowed!

D. Pedro. Why, what's the matter? 104

D. John. I came hither to tell you; and circumstances shortened,-for she hat11 been too long a talking of,-the lady is disloyal.

Claud. Who, Hero? 108

D. Jo7z.n. Even she: Leonato's Hero, your Hero, every man's Hcro.

Claud. Disloyal? D. John. The word's too good to paint out

her wickedness; I could say, she were worse: think you of a worse title, and I will fit her to it. Wonder not till further warrant: go but with me to-night, you shall see her chamber-window entered, even the night before her wedding-dagr: if you love her then, to-morrow wed her; but it would better fit your honour to change your mind. 120

Claud. May this be so? D. Pedro. I will not think it. D. John. If you dare not trust that you see,

confess not that you know. If you will follow me, I mill show you enough; and when you have seen more and heard more, proceed accordingly.

99 aim . . at: jrtdge of 101 l~olds: csteettzs dearness: affecrion 106 circumstances shortened: cuttir~g short the particrrlars 107 a talking of : ~tttder discrtssion 112 paint out: depict 115 till . . warrant: f i l l further proof appears 123 that: w&

Clnud, If I see any thing to-night why I should not marry her to-morrow, in the congregation, where I should wed, there will .I shame her.

D. Pedro. And, as I wooed for thee to obtain her, I will join with thee to disgrace her. 132

D. John. I will disparage her no further till you are my witnesses: bear i t coldly but till midnight, and let the issue show itself.

D. Pedro. 0 day untowardly turned! 136

Claud. 0 mischief strangely thwarting ! D. John. 0 plague right well prevented ! So

will you say when you have seen ,the sequel. Exeunt.

Scene Three

[ A Street]

Enter Dogberry and his cornpartner [17erges], ruith the watch.

Dogb. Are you good men and true? Verg. Yea, or else i t were pity buE they should

suffer salvation, body and soul. Dogb. Nay, that were a punishment too good

for them, if they sllould have any allegiance in them, being chosen for the prince's watch.

17erg. Well, give them their charge, seighbour Dogberry. 8

Dogb. First, who think you the most desartless man to be constable? First Watch. I-1ul;Ii Oatcake, sir, or George

Senconl; for they can write and read, 12

136 untowardly turned: nnlrickily altered Sc iii., S. d. watch: night wafclrmett 3 salvation: i.e. dotttnation 9 dctiartless: i.e, deserving

II/IIuch Ado A bout Nothin,g, 111. iii 68

Dogb. Come hither, neighbour Seacoal. God hat11 blessed you with a good name: to be a tvell-favoured man is the gift of fortune ; but to write and read comes by nature. 10

Sec. Watch. Both which, Blaster constable,- Dogb. You have: I knew it would be your

answer. Well, for your favour, sir, why, give God tllanks, and make no boast of i t ; and for youy writing and reading, let that appear when there is no need of such vanity. You are thought here to be the most senseless and fit man for the con- st;nble of the watch ; therefore bear you the lantern. This is your charge: you shall comprehend all vagrom men; you are to bid any man stand, in the prince's name.

Watch. Now, if a' will not stand? 28

Dogb. Why, then, take no note of him, but let him go; and presently call the rest of the watch together, and tllank God you are rid of a Itnave.

P'erg. If he will not stand when he is bidden, he is none of the prince's subjects. 3 3

Dogb. True, and they are to meddle with none but the prince's subjects. You shall also make na noise in the streets: for, for the watch to babble and to talk is most tolerable and not to be endured.

Sec. Watch. We will rather sleep than talk: we know what belongs to a watch. 40

Dogb. Why, you speak like an ancient and most quiet watchman, for I cannot see ho~v sleeping should offend; only hare a care that your bills be not stolen. Well, you are to call

15 well-favoured: good-looking 25 con~prchet~d : i.e. opfirelzend 26 vagrom: vagrant 40 belongs to: befits 44 bills: pikes

4 Much Ado About Nothing, I II . iii

a t RU the alehouses, and bid those that are drunk get them to bed. 46

Jf'atcZ~. How if they will not? Dogb. Why then, let them alone till they are

sober: if they make you not then the better answer, you may say they are not the men you took them for.

Watch. Well, sir. 52

Dogb. I f you meet a thief, you may suspect him, by virtue of your office, to be no true man; and, for such kind of men, the less you meddle or make with them, why, the more is for your honesty. 57

Sec. Ff7atch. If we lrnow him t o be a thief, shall we not lay finnds on him?

Dogb. Truly, by your office, you may; but I think they that touch pitch will be defiled. The most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is, to lct him show himself what he is and steal out of your company. 04

Verg. You have been always called a merciful man, partner.

Dogb. Truly, I would not hang a dog by my will, much more a man who hatli any honesty in him.

T'erg. If you hear a child cry in the night, you must call to the nurse and bid her still it.

Sec. Watch . How if the nurse be asleep and mill not hear us? 72

Dogb. Why, then, depart in peace, and let the child wake her with crying; for the ewe that will not hear her lamb when it baes, will never answer a calf when he bleats. 76

Verg. 'Tis very true.

54 true: Itonest 56 meddle or make: have t o do is: (if) u

Much Ado About Nothing, IIX. iii 85

Dogb. This is the end of the charge. YOU, eonstable, are to present tlie prince's own person: i f you meet the prince in the night, you may stay him. 81

P e ~ g . Nay, by 'r lady, that I think, a' cannot. Dogb. Five shillings to one on 't, with any

man that knows the statues, he may stay him: marry, not without the prince be willing; for, indeed, the watch ought to offend no man, and it is an offence to stay a man against his will.

F'erg. By 'r lady, I think it be so. 88

Dogh. Ha, ah, ha ! Well, masters, good night: an there be any matter of weight chances, call up me: keep your fellaws' counsels and your own, and good night. Come, neighbour. 93

Sec. Watch. Well, masters,we hear our charge: let us go sit here upon the church-bench till two, and then all go to bed.

Dogb. One word more, honest neighbours. I pray you, match about Signior Leonato's door; for the wedding being there to-morrow, there is a great coil to-night. Adieu; be vigitant, I beseech you. Exeunt [ D o g b e r ~ y and Verges] .

Enter Borachio and Conrade.

Bora. What, Conrnde ! 101

Watch. [Aside.] Peace ! stir not. Rora. Conrade, I say! Con. Here, man, I am at thy elbow. 104

B o ~ n . Mass, and m y elbow itched; I thought there would a scab follow.

79 present: refirwent 84 statues: 4.8. rlatuter 94 church-bench: bench outsids fhe church 99 coil: bustle vigitant: LC. vigilant 105 Masn: by the Mass1 106 scab; cf. u.

80 Much Ado About Notl~ing, III . iii

Con. I will owe thee an answer for that; and 1'

now forward with thy tale. 10s I

Bora. Stand thee close then under this pent- house, for it drizzles rain, and 1 will, like a true drunkard, utter all to thee.

Watch. [Aside.] Some treason, masters ; yet stand close. 113

Bora. Therefore know, I have earned of Don John a thousand ducats.

Con. Is i t possible that any villainy should be so dear? 117

Bora. Thou shouldst rather ask if i t were possible any villainy should be so rich; for when rich villains have need of poor ones, poor ones may make what price they will. 121

Con. I wonder a t it. Bora. That sho~vs thou a r t unconfirmed.

Thou knowest that the fashion of a doublet, or a Iiat, or a cloak, is nothing to a man. 125

Con. Yes, i t is apparel. Bora. I mean, the fashion. Con. Yes, the fashion is the fashion, 128

Bore. Tush! I may as well say the fool's the fool. But seest thou not what a deformed thief this fashion is?

Watch. [Aside.] I h o w that Deformed; a' has been a vile thief this seven years; a' goes up and down like a gentleman: I remember his name. 135

Bora. Didst thou not 'hear somebody? Con. No: 'twas the vane on the house. Bora. Seest thou not, I say, what a deformed

109 pent-house: projecting roof 113 stand close: keep concealed 123 unconfirmed: inexperienced

illuch A d o A b a t Nothing, I I I . iii

thief this fashion is? how giddily he turns about all the I ~ o t bloods between fourteen and five-and- thirty? sometime fashioning them like Pharaoh's soldiers in the reechy painl;ing; sometime like god Bel's priests in the old churcll-wiqdow; sometime like the shaven Hercules in the smirched worm-eaten tapestry, where his cod- piece seems as massy as his club? 146

Con. All this I see, and I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than tlje man. But a r t not thou thyself giddy with the fashion too, that thou hast shifted out of thy talc into telling me of the f asl~ion ? 151

Bora. Not so, neither; but know, that I have to-night mooed Margaret, the Lady Hero's gentlewoman, by the name of Hero: she leans me out a t her mistress' chamber-window, bids me a thousand times good night,-I tell this tale vilely:--I should first tell thee how thc prince, Claudio, arid my master, planted and placed and possessed by my master Don John, saw afar off in the orchard this amiable encounte;.. 160

Con. And thought they Margaret was Hero? Bora. Two of them did, the prince and Clan-

di3; but the devil my master, knew she was Margaret; and partly by his oaths, which first possessed them, partly by the dark night, which did deceive them, but chiefly by my villainy, which did confirm any slander that Don John had made, away went Claudio enraged; swore he would meet her, as he was appointed, F-ext morning a t the temple, and there, before the

142 reechy: dirty, stained with smoke 143 Bel's priests; cf. a. 145 cod-piece: part of Elieabetl~an breeches 147 the fashion, etc.; cf, %. 159 possessed: influenced

68 Bluch Ado About Nothing. 111. iv

whole congregation, sliame her with what he saw o'er night, and send her home again mith- out a husband. 173

First Watch. VSTe charge you in the prince's name, stand!

Sec. Watch. Call up the right Master constable. We have here recovered the most dangerous piece of lecl~ery tha t ever was known in the commonwealth.

First JVatc7~. And one Deformed is one of +,hem: I h o w him, a' wears a lock, 181

Con. Masters, masters ! Sec. IVutch. You'll be made bring Deformed

forth, I warrant you. 154

Con. Masters,- First Watch. Never speak: we charge you

let us obey you t o go with us. Bora. W7e are like to prove a goodly com-

modity, being taken up of these men's bills. 189

Cola. A commodity in question, I warrant you. Come, we'll obey you, Zzeunt.

Scene Four

[Hero's Rpart.tnent]

.Enter Hero, Margaret, and Ursula.

Hero. Good Ursula, wake my cou.sin Beatrice, lrnd desire her to rise.

UTS. I will, lady. Hero. And bid her come hither. 4

Urs. Well. [Exit.]

176 right Master; cf. n. 177 recovered: i.e. dtcovercd 181 lock: loye-lock (ff hair) 188 commodity; cf. n. 190 in queshou: subject to trial

BIztcli A d o A bout Nothing, I I I . iu 59

Mary. Troth, I think your other rabato were better.

Hero. No, pray thee, good Meg, I'll wear this. nlarg, By my troth's not so good; and I

warrant your cousin will say so, Hero. My cousin's n fool, and tIiou art

another: 1'11 wear none but this. 12

Mnrg. I like the new tire within excellently, if the hair were a thought browner; and yosr gown's a most rare fashion, i' faith. I saw the Duchess of Milan's gown that they praise so. 16

Hero. 0 ! that escecds, they say. Mnrg. By my troth's but a night-gown in

respect of yours :. cloth o' gold, and cuts, and laced with silver, set with pearls, down sleeves, side sleeves, and skirts round, underborne with a bluish tinsel; but for a fine, quaint, graceful, and excellent fashion, yours is worth ten on 't.

Hero. God give me joy to wear it! for my heart is exceeding herrc~. 25

&rg. 'Twill be heavier soon by the weight of a man.

Hero. Fie npon thee! art not ashamed? 28

Ma.rg. Of what, lady? of speaking honour- ably? is not marriage honourable in a beggar? Is not your lord honourable without marriage? I think you would have me sap, 'saving your reverence, a husband:' an bad thinking do not wrest true speaking, I'll offend nobody. Is there

6 rabato: stiff coffar 9 t~ otll's: i.c. troth, it i s 1 3 tire: headdrefs within; c f . ti. 18 night.gouvn: tea-gozurr' in respect of: coaaparcd with 19 cuts: slaslled openirigs, shomirrq the fabric iiwiertzeath 20 laced: trimmed down sleeves: fizht-fittitrg sleeves (?I 21 side sleeves: lortg o ~ t t e r sleeves, apen frorir the shoulder

unrlerhorne: lircJ 32 saving your reverence; cf. n. 34 wrest: dutori

any harm in 'the heavier for a husband?' None. C think, an it he the right husband and the right wife; otherwise 'tis light, and not heavy: ask hy Lady Beatrice else; here she comes.

E l z t e ~ Beatrice.

Hero. Good morrow, coz. Bcat. Good morrow, sweet Hero. 40

IIero, Why, how now! do you speak in the sick tune?

Beat. I am out of all other tune, methinks. Marg. Clap'siinto 'Light o' love;' that goes

without a burden: clo you sing it, and I'll dance it. Beat. Ye light o' love with your heels! then,

if your husband have stables enough, you'll see he sl~all lack no barns. 48

Marg. 0 illegitimate construction! I scorn that with my heels.

Bcat. 'Tis almost five o'clock, cousin; 'tis time you were ready. By my troth, I am exceeding ill. Heigh-110 ! 58

Marg. For a hawk, a horse, or a husband? Beat. For the letter that begins them all, H. Marg. Well, an you be not turned Turk,,

there's no more sailing by the star. 57

Bcat. What means the fool, trow? n f n ~ g . Nothing I ; but God send every one

their heart's desire! 60

Hero. These gloves the count sent me; they are an excellent perfume.

37 light: wondon ( P t t r c ) 42 sick tune: tone of an invalid 44 'Light o' love': a pofiular song 45 burden : bass acronrpalriinent 48 barns: pun of1 bairrls, rlrildvetr 50 with mv heels: as if by kickilrg 5 5 H : @ro;~ozr,rced ??ruck lrke 'acheJ 56 turned Turk: bpco~ltr rel~egade 58 trow: (do you) think t

Huch A do A bout A70i12iny, 111. iz: 61

Bent. I am stuffed, cousin, I cannot smell. Marg. A maid, and stuffed! there's goodly

catching of cold. 66

Bent , 0, God help me! God help me! how long have you professed apprehension?

Jfnrg. Ever since you left it. Doth not my wit beconle me rarely ! 69

Bent. I t is not seen enough, you should wear it in your cap. By my troth, I am sick.

IClnrg. Get you some of this distilled Carduus Benedictus, and lay i t to your heart: i t is the only thing for a qualm.

Hero. There thou prick'st her with a thistle, Beat. Bel~edictus! why Renedictus? you have

some moral in this Benedictus. 77

Blarg. Moral ! no, by my troth, I have no moral meaning; I meant, plain holy-thistle. You may think, perchance, that I think you are in love: nay, by'r lady, I am not such a fool to think wliat I list; nor I list not to think what I can; nor, indeed, I cannot think, if I would think my heart out of thinking, that you are in love, or that you will be in love, or that you can be in love. Yet Benedick was such another, and now is he b e c ~ m e a man: he swore he would never marry; and yet now, in despite of his heart, he eats his meat without grudging: and how you may be converted, I h o w not; but methinks you loolc with your eyes as other women do.

Beat, What pace is this that thy tongue keeps ? 98

M n r g . Not a false gallop.

67 professed apprehension: nrade wit your profession 72 Carduus Bencdictus: lroly th+tle, used in medicine 77 moral: hiddebt nzeaning 82 list: like 94 false gallop: cmler

62 Much Ado About Not?cing, I II . v

Ztzter Ursula.

Urs. Madam, withdraw : the prince, the count, Signior Benedick, Don John, and all the gallants of the town, are come to fetch you to church. 97

H e ~ o . Help to dress me, good coz, good Meg, I good 'I/'rsula, [Exeunt . ]

Scene Five

[Another Room in Leonato's EIouse]

Enter Leonato and the Co~tstable [Dogberry] , and the Headborough [ Tferges].

Leon. What would you with me, honest neig11hour ?

Dogb . Marry, sir, I would have some confidence with you, tha t decerns you nearly. 4

Leon. Brief, I pray you; for you see i t is a busy time with me,

D o g b . Marry, this i.t is, sir. Verg. Yes, in truth it is, sir. 8

Leon. UThat is it, my good friends? Dogb. Goodman Verges, sir, speaks a little off

the matter: an old man, sir, and his wits are not so blunt, as, God help, I would desire they were; but, in faith, honcst as the skin between his brows.

Verg . Yes, I tllank God, I am as honest as any man living, that is an old man and no honester than I. 17

Dogb. Comparisons are odorous: palnbras, neighbour Verges.

Sc. v., S. d. Headborough: Petty co~zstable 3 confidence: i.e, ron ference 4 decerns: Ls. concertrs 10 Goodman: yeoman; a rusfic title 18 odorous: Ls. odioxs palabras; cf. n.

Leon. Neighbours, you are tedious. 20

Dogb. It pleases your worship to say so, but we are the poor duke's officers; but truly, for mine own part, if I were 3s tediolls as a king, I could find in my heart to bestow it all of your worship. 25

Leon. All thy tediousness on me! ha? Dogb. Yea, an ' t were (.I thousand pound more

than 'tis; for I hear as good exclamation on your worship, as of any man in the city, and tllougI1 I be but a poor man, I am glad to hear it.

F'erg. And so am I. 31

Leon. I would fain know what you have to sap. Ferry. Marry, sir, our watch to->iglit, except-

ing your worship's presence, ha' ta'en a couple of as arrant knaves as any in Messina. 35

Do@. A good old man, sir; he will be talking: as they say, 'when the age is in, the wit; is out.' God help us! i t is a world to see! Well said, i' faith, neighbour Verges: well, God's a good man; an two men ride of a Ilorse, one must ride behind. An honest soul, i' faith, sir ; by my troth he is, as ever broke bread: but God is to be worshipped: all men are not alike; alas ! good ncighbour. 44

Leon,. Indeed, neighbour, he comes too short of yon.

Dogb . Gifts that God gives. Leon. I must leave you. 4 8

Dogb. One word, sir: our watch, sir, hrtth indeed comprehended two aspicious persons, and

22 poor dtikc's: i.e. dtrRc's poor 3.2 of: on 28 exclamation: i .e. acclnntafion ( 7 ) 33 to-night: last niglrt 37 when the age is in, etc.; cf. n. 38 a world: a wonder 39 God's a good man ; cf. n. 50 aspicious: i.e. surpiciomc

we would have them this morning examined before your worship. 5 2

Leon. Take their examination yourself, and bring i t me: I am now in great haste, as may appear unto yoil.

Dogb. It shall be sufigance. 6 o Leon. Drink some wine ere you go: fare you

well. [Egater a Messenge.r.1

ICless. Rfy lord, they shy for you to give your daughter t o her Busband. 80

Leon. I'll wait upon them: I am ready. [Zxeunt Leonato and n-lessenger.]

Dogb . Go, good partner, go, get you to Francis Yeacoal; bid him bring his pen and inkhorn to the gaol: we are now to examination these men.

V e r g . And we must; do it wisely. 65

Dogb . NTe will spare for no wit, I warrant you ; here's that sllall drive some of them to a nofa-come: only get the learned writer to set d.own our excommunication, and meet me at the gaol. Exeunt.

ACT FOURTH

Scene One

[Within n Church]

E n t e r Prince, Bastard, Leonato, Friar [Fran- c i s ] , Claudio, Benedick, Hero, and Bea- trice.

Leon. Come, Friar Francis, be brief: only to

56 suffigance : i e . suficier~t 61 wait upon: attend 68 non-come; cf. H. 69 excommunication: s.e. examination or comnrunication

fl lv~~ch A ~ O About Nothing, IT. 1: 6s

the plain form of marriage, and you shall re count their particr~lar duties afterwards.

Friar. You come hither, my lord, to marry this lady? 5

Claud. No. Leon. T o be married to her, f r iar ; you come

to marry her. 8

Friar. Lady, you come hither to be married to this count?

Hero . I do. Frinr. If either of you know any inward

impediment, why you should not be conjoined, I charge you, on your souls, to utter it.

Claud. Know you any, Hero? Ilero. None, my lord. 16

Friar. Know yon any, count? Leon. I dare make his answer; none. Claud. 0 ! what men dare do ! what men mag

do ! what men daily do, not lrnowi~lg what they do ! Bcne. How now! Interjections? Why then,

some be of laughing, as ah ! ha ! he ! Cloud. Stand thee by, friar. Father, by your

leave : Will you with free and unconstrained soul 24'

Give me this maid, your daughter? Leon. As freely, son, as God did give her me. Claud. And what have I to give you back

whose worth May counterpoise this rich and precious gift? 2s

D. Pedro. Nothing, unless you render her again.

22 some . . laughing, otc.; cf. n. 28 counterpoise: bdonce 29 render: give back

66 Much Ado A bout Nothing, IV. i

Claud. Sweet prince, you learn me noble thankfulness.

There, Leonato, take her back again: Give not this rotten orange to your friend; 82

She's but the s i p and semblance of her honour. Behold! how like a maid she blushes here. O! what authority and show of truth Can cunning sin cover itself withal. as Comes not that blood as modest evidence T o witness simple virtue ? Would you not swear, ,411 you that see her, tlint she were a maid, By these extcrior shows? But shc is none: 40

She knows the heat of a luxurious bed; H e r blush is guiltiness, not modesty.

Leon. What do you mean, my lord? Claud. Not to be married,

Not to knit my soul to an approved wanton. 44

Leon. Dear my lord, if you, in your own proof, Have vanquish'd the resistance of her youth, And made defeat of her virginity,--

Clazrd. I h o w what you would say: if I have known her, 48

You'll say she did embrace me as a husband, And so exteiluate the 'forelland sin: No, Leonato, I never tempted her with word too large; 52

But, as a brother to liis sister, show'd Bashf~ll sincerity and comely love.

Hero. And seem'd I ever otherwise t o yon? Claud. Out on thee ! Seeming! I mill write

against it: 56

You seem to me as Dian in her orb, 35 authority: anthmticify 41 luxurious: lwtful 45 in your own proof; cf. n. 50 'forehand sin: e n of over-haste 57 Dian in her orb: tlie cllarte Diana, enthroned *n the mom

Mucll Ado About Notllir~ y, IV. d 67

As chaste as is the bud ere it be blown; But you are more intemperate in your blood Than Venus, or those pamper'd animals 60

That rage in savage sensuality. Hero. I s my lord well, that lie dot11 speak so

wide ? Leon. Sweet prince, why speak uot you? D. Pedro. M7hat should I spealr?

I stand dishonour'd, that have gone about 64

To link my dear friend to a common stale. Leow. Are these things spoken, or do I but

dream ? D. John. Sir, they are spoken, and tliese

things are true. 68

Bene. This looks not like a nuptial. Hero. True! 0 God! Claud. Leonato, stand I here?

Is this the prince? Is this tlie prince's brother? Is this face Arc our eyes our own? 73

Leon. All this is so; but what of this, my lord? Cla~scl. Let me but move one question to your

da~lgllter ; And by that fatherly and kindly power That you have in her, Lid llcr answer truly. 76

Leon. I charge thee do so, as thou art my child,

Hero. 0, God defend me ! how am I beset ! What kii~d of catechizing call you this?

Claud. To make you answer truly t o your name. 80

Hero. Is it not Nero? Who can blot that name

62 wide: wide of the mark, incorrectly 69 True l cf. n. 75 kindly: natural

Wit11 any just reproach? Claud. Marry, that can Hero:

Hero itself can blot out I-Iero's ~ i r t u e . What man was 11e tallr'd with you yesterlright 84

Out a t your window, betwixt twelve and one? Now, if you are a maid, answer to I;his.

Hero. I talk'd with no man a t that hour, my lord.

D. Pedro. Why, then are you no maiden. Leonrrto, 88

I am sorry you must hear: upon mine honour, Myself, my brother, and this grieved count, Did see her, hear her, a t that hour last night, Talk with a ruffian at her chamber-window; 92

Who hath indeed, most like a liberal villain Confess'd the vile encounters they Rave had A thousand times in secret. D. John. Fie, fie ! they are not to be nnm'd,

my lord, 9c

Not to be spoke of; There is not cIiastity enough in language Without offence to utter them. Thus, pretty lady, I a m sorry for thy much misgovernment. loo

Clazrd. 0 Hero ! what a Nero lradst thou been, If half thy outward graces had been plac'd About thy thoughts and courisels of thy heart! But fare thee well, most foul, most; fair! fare-

well, Thou pure impiety, and impious purity! 105

For thee I'll loclc up all the gates of love, And on my eyelids slinll conjecture hang,

83 Hero itself, ctc.; cf, fi. 93 liberal: n o s * 100 much misgovernm?nt: great miscondrtct 197 conjecture: sic~piclon

Nuck A d o About Notlhi~~~g, I V . i 69

T o turn all beauty into thoughts of harm, 108

And never shaI1 it more be gracious. Leon. Hath no man's dagger here a point

for me ? [Hero swoons. ] Beat. Why, how now, cousin! wherefore sink

you down? D. John. Come, let us go. These things,

come thus to light, 112

Smother her spirits up. [Exeu.nt Don Pedro, Don John and Claudia.] Bene. I low doth the lady? Beat. Dead, I think ! help, uncle!

Hero ! why, Hero ! Uncle! Signior Benedick ! Friar ! 116

Leon. 0 Fate! take not away thy heavy hand: Death is the fairest cover for her shame That may be wish'd for.

Beat. How now, cousin Hero ! Friar. Have comfort, lady. 120

Leon. Dast thou loolr up? Friar. Yea; wherefore should she not? Leon. Wherefore ! M7hy, doth not every earthly

thing Cry shame upon her? Could she here deny The story tlmi is printed in her blood? 124

Do not live, Hero; do not ope thine eyes; For, did I think thou wouldst not quickly die, Thought I thy spirits were stronger than thy

shames, Myself mould, on the rearward of reproaches, 128

Strike a t thy life. Griev'd I, I had 5ut one? Chid I for that a t frugal nature's frame?

109 gracious: attractive 128 on the rearward of: following ajtsr 130 frame: establi~hed order

70 Alzlch A d o Libozl t hTotl~i,~lg, IV. i

0 ! one too much ' t~y t21ce. Why had I one? ever mast thou lovely in mine eyes? 132

Why had I not with charitable hand Took up a beggar's issue a t my gates, Who smirched thus, and mir'd with infamy, I might have said, 'No part of it is mine; 136

This shame derives itself from unlcnown loins?' But mine, and mine I lov'd, and mine I prais'd, And mine tllnt I T V ~ S proud on, mine so mudl That I myself was t o myself not mine, 14 o Valuing of her; wily, sl~c-0 ! she is fallen Into a pit of ink, that the wide sea EIath drops too few to wash her clean again, And salt too little which may season give 144

To her foul-tainted flesh. Bette. Sir, sir, be patient.

For my part, I am so attir'd in wonder, I know not what to say.

Beat. O! on my soul, my cousin is belied! Bene. Lady, were you her bedfellow last night ? Beat. No, truly, not; although, uxitil last

night, I have this twelvemonth been her bedfellow.

Leon. Confirm'd, confirm'd! O ! that is stronger made, 152

Which was before borr'd np with ribs of iron. Would the two princes lie? end Claudio lie, Who lov'd her so, that, speaking of lier foulness, \Vashad it with tears? I3ence from her! let

her die. 156

Friar. Hear me a little; For I have only been silent so long,

140 Cf. n. 141 Valuing: wlten rsti?nulittq the valur 142 that: so that 144 season: savor 146 attir'd: wrapped up

Much Ado About Nothing, IV. i 71

And given way unto this course of fortune, By noting of the lady: I have mark'd 100

A thousand blushing apparitions To start into her face; a thousand innocent

shames I n angel whiteness bear away those blushes; And in her eye there hath appear'd a fire, 164

T o burn the errors that these princes hold Against her maiden tryth. Call me a fool; Trust not my reading nor my c5servations, Which with experimental seal doth warrant 168

The tenour of my book; trust not my age, My reverence, calling, nor divinity, If this sweet lady lie not guiltless here Under some biting error.

Leon. Friar, i t cannot be. 172

Thou seest that all the grace that she hat11 left Is, that she mill not add to hcr damnation

sin of perjury: she not denies it. Why seek'st thou then to cover with excuse 176

That which appears in proper nakedness? Friar. Lady. what man is he you are ac-

cus'c! of? Hero. They know that do accuse me, I know

none ; If 1 know more of any man alive 180

Than that which maiden modesty doth warrant, Let all my sins lack mercy ! 0, my father ! Prove you that any man with me convers'd At hours unmeet, or that I yesternight 184

Bfaintain'd the change of words with any crea- tnre,

168 experirncntal seal: seal of expdtlcc 169 book; cf. n. 185 change: erclrange

72 JIz~ch Ado About Nothing, I V . i

Refuse me, hate me, torture me to death. Friar. There is some strange misprision in

the princes. Bene. Ttvo of them have the very bent of

honour ; 188

And if their wisdoms be misled in this, The practice of it lives in Jolm the bastard, Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies.

Leon. I know not. If they speak but t ~ u t b of her, 192

These hands shaU tear her; if they wrong her honour,

The proudest of them shall well hear of it. Time hath not yet so dried tlGs blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, 190

Nor fortune made such havoc of my means, Nor my bad life reft me so much of friends, But they shall find, awak'd in such a kind, Both strength of limb and policy of mind, ZOQ

Ability in means and choice of friends, To quit me of them tl~roughly.

Friar. Pause awhile, And let my counsel sway you in this case. Your daughter here the princes left for dead; Let her awhile be secretly kept in, 205

And publish it that she is dead indeed: Maintain a mourning ostentation ; And on your family's old monument 208

Hang mournful epitaphs and do all rites That appertain unto a burial.

187 misprision: ncisutzderstanditrg 188 bent: nat~rral irrclinalwtr 190 practice: trickery 191 frame: corrtrivance 196 invention : power of mind 199 kind: r t~a t i?~er 202 quit . . oi: avenge . . or* 205 secretly kept in: keht hidden 207 rnourxling ostentation: show of nrournitrg

.Much Ado A bout Nothing, IT. i 73

Leon. What shall become of this? What will this do?

Friar. hfarry, this well carried shall on her behalf 212

Change slander to remorse; that is some good: But not For that dream I on this strange course, But on this travail look for greater birth. She dying, ns i t must be so maintain'd, 216

Upon the instant that she was accus'd, Shall be lamented, pitied and excus'd Of every hearer; for it so falls out That what we have we prize not to the worth Whiles we enj op it, but being lack'd and lost, Why, then we rack the value, then we find 222

The virtue that yosscssion would not show us Whiles i t was ours. So will it fare with Claudio: When Ile shall hear she died upon his words, The idea of her life shall s~veetly creep Into his study of imagination, And every love1 y organ of her life 228

Shall come npparell'd in more precious habit, More moving-delicate, and full of life Into the eye and prospect of his soul, Than when she liv'd indeed: then shall he

mourn,- 233

If ever love had interest in his liver,- And wish he had not so accused her, No, though Ile tliought his accusation true. Let this be so, and doubt not but success 286

Will fashion the event in better shape Than I can lay i t down in likelihood.

222 rack: sfrctclt 227 study of imagination: intaginnfive stndy 228 organ: faculty 229 habit: dresd 230 movit~gdelicate: toitcl~irrgly delicaf e 231 prospect: view 233 liver: s14PQo.wd seat o f love 236 success: the r8nrCt 238 lay . . likelihood: conjecture

74 Much Ado About Not?&tg, IV. i

But if all aim but this be lerrell'd false, The supposition of the lady's death 240

Will quench the \vorlder of her infamy: And if i t sort not well, yon may conceal her,- As best befits her wounded reputation,- In some reclusive and religious life, 244

Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries. B w e . Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you:

And though you h o w my inwardness and love Is very much unto the prince and Claudio, 248

Yet, by mine honour, 1 will deal in this As secretly and justly as your soul Should with your body.

Leon. Being that I flow in grief, The smallest twine may lead me. 252

Friar. 'Tis well consented: presently away; For t o strange sores strangely they strain the

cure. Come, lady, die to live: this wedding day Perhaps is but prolong'd: have patience and

endure. Exit [with Leonato and Hero.]

Bene. Lady Beatrice, have you wept all this while ?

Bent. Yea, and I will weep a while longer. Bene. I will not desire that. 260

Beat . You have no reason; I do it freely. B e n e , Surely I do believe your fair cousin is

wronged. Beat . Ah! how much might the man deserve

of me that would right her. 265

239 Cf. fa. 242 sort: turn out 244 reclusive: secluded 245 injuries: innclts 247 inwardness: httitnacy 251 flow in: overjlow with 254 Cf. n. 256 prolong'd: postponed

Mucl2 A d o A bout Nothing, I T . i 75

Bene. I s there any way t o show such friendship ?

Beat. A very even may,. but no such friend. Bene. May a man do i t ? 269

Beat. It is a man's office, but not yours. Bene. I do love nothing in the world so well

as you: is not that strange? 272

Beat. As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you; but believe me not, and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin. 277

Bene. By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me. Beat. Do not swear by it, and eat it. Bene. I will swear by it that you love me;

and I mill make him eat it that says I love not you.

Beat. Will you not eat your word? Bene. With no sauce that can be devised ,to

it. I protest I lore thee. 285

Beat. Why then, God forgive me! Bene. W l a t offence, sweet Beatrice ? Beat. You have stayed me in a happy hour:

1 was about to protest I loved you. 289

Beae. And do i t with all thy heart. Beat. I love you with so much of my heart

that none is left t o protest. 292

Bene. Come, bid me do anything for thee. Beat. Kill Claudio. Bene, Ha! not for the wide world. Beat. You kill me to deny it. Farewell, 296

Bene. Tarry, sweet B e l r t r i ~

268 even: ~ m o o f h , ewy

Beat. I am gone, though I am here: there is no love in you: nay, I pray you, let me go.

Bene. Beatrice,- 300

Beat. I n faith, I will go. Bene. \VeYll be friends first. Bent. You dare easier be friends with me

than fight with mine enemy. 308

Bene. I s Claudio thine enemy? Beat, IJ he not approved in the height a

villain, that hath slandered, scorned, dishonour- ed my kinswoman? O! that I were a man. What! bear lier in hand until they come to take hands, and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander, unmitigated rancour,-0 God, that I were a man! I would eat his heart in the market-place. 313

Bene. Hear me, I3eatrice,- Beat. Talk with a man out at a window! a

proper saying ! 316

Bene. Nay, but Beatrice,- Beat. Sweet Hero! she is wronged, she is

slandered, she is undone. Bene. Beat- 320

Beat. Princes and counties ! Surely, rt princely testimony, a goodly Count Cornfect; a sweet; gallant, surely! 0 ! that I were a man for his sake, or that I had any friend woiild be a man for my salre! But manl~ood is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: hc is now as valiant as Ilercules, that only tells ti

lie and swears it. I cannot be a man with wish-

298 gone: absent irr sfiirif 306 height: highest degree 309 bear . . in hand: delude 310 uncovered: open 32 1 counties: cozrtats 322 Comfect : sweetmeat

ing, theleefore 1 will die a woman with grieving. Rene. Tarry, good Beatlice. By this hand,

I lcve thee. 322

Bent. Use it for my love some other way than swearing by it.

Bet~e . Think you in your soul tlie C,ount Claudio hath wronged Hero? 336

Beat. Yea, as sure as I have a thought or a soul.

Bene. Enough! I am engaged, I will challenge him. I will kiss your hand, and so leave you. By this hand, Claudio shall render me a dear account. As you hear of me, so thinlc of me. Go, comfort your cousin: I must say she is dead; and so, farewell. [Exerlnt.]

Scene Two

[ A Prison]

Enter the Constables [Dogberrg and Verges ] and the T o w n Clerlr [Sex ton] in gowns, [ w i t h the Watch, Conra.de a.nd] Borachio.

Dogb . I s our wliole clissembly appeared? Verg . O ! a stool and a cushion for the

sexton. Sexton. Which be the malefactors? 4

Dogb. Marry, that am I and my partner. Verg . Nay, that's certain: we have the exhi-

bition to examine. Sexton. But which are the offenders tha t are

to be examined? let them come before Master constable.

Sc. ii; cf. n. 1 dissembly: i .e. ussembly 5 Dogb.; cf. n. 6 exhibition: kc. comndssion ( I )

n l ~ c h ' A d o About Nothing, I T . ii

Dogb. Yea, marry, let them come before me. What is your name, friend? 12

Born. Borachio. Dogb. Pray write down Boracllio. Yours,

sirrah ? Con. I am n gentleman, sir, alld my name is

Conrade. Dogb. Write down hlaster gentleman Con-

rnde. Masters, do you serve God?

Co9* } Yen, sir, we hope. 20 Bora. Dogb. Write down that they hope they serve

God: and write God first; for God defend but God should go before such villains ! hlasters, i t is proved already that you are little better than false knaves, and it will go near to be thonght so shortly. How answer you for yourselves? 2n

Con. Marry, sir, we say we are none. Dogb. A marvellous witty fellow, I assllre

you; but I will go about with him. Conle yo11 hither, sirrah; a word in your ear: sir, I say to you, i t is thought you are false knaves.

Born. Sir, I say to you we are none. 3 8

Dog!). Well, stand aside. 'Fore God, they are both in a tale. Have you writ down, that they are none?

Sexton. hlaster constable, you go not the way to examine: you must call forth the watch that are their accusers. 3 8

Dogh. Yea, marry, tlrat's the eftest way. Let the match come forth. Masters, I charge you, in the prince's name, accuse these men.

25 go near to: al?raosS 28 witty: cunning 29 go about with: circu?nvenf 54 in a tale: agreed on one story 39 eftest: quickest (?)

ilfich Ado Abcut Notl~in,g, IT. ii 79

First Watch. This man said, sir, that Don John, the prkce's brother, mas a villain. 43

Dogb. Write down Prince John ra, villain. Why, this is flat perjury, to call a prince'a brother villain.

Bora. hiaster constable,- Dogb. Pray thee, fellow, peace: I do not like

thy look, I promise thee. Sexton. What heard you him say else? 50

See. Watch. Marry, that he had received a thousand ducats of Don John for accusing the Lady I-Iero wrongfully.

Lloc~b. Flat burglary as ever was committed. F'erg. Yea, by the mass, that i t is. Sexton. What else, fellow? 6 6

First Watch. And that Count Claudio did mean, upon his words, to disgrace Hero before the whole assembly, and not marry her.

Dogb. 0 villain! thou wilt be condemned into everlasting redemption for this. 61

Sexton. What else ? See. Watch. This is all. Sexton. And this is more, masters, than you

can deny. Prince John is this morning secretly stolen away: Hero was in this manner accused, in this very manner refused, and, upon the grief of this, suddenly died blaster constable, let these men be bound, and brought to Leonato's: I will go before and show him their examination. [Exit.]

Dogb. Come, let them be opinioned. 72

Verg. Let them be in the hands- Con. Off, coxcomb!

72 opinioned: i c . pinioned 73,74 Cf. th

&lz~ch A d o Abozbt Nothing, V . i

Dogb. God's my lifc! where's the sexton? let him write down the prince's oacer coxcomb. Come, bind thern, Thou naughty varlek! 77

Con. Away ! you are an ass ; you are an ass. Dogb. Dost thou not suspect my place?

Dost thou not suspect my years? 0 that he were here to write me down an ass! but, masters, remember that I rrln an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am a n ass. No, thou villain, thou ar t full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow; and, which is more, an officer; and, which is more, a householder; and, which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any in Mes- sina; and one that knows the law, go to; and a rich fellow enough, go to; and a fellow that hath had losses; and one that hath two gowns, and everything handsome about him. Bring him away. 0 that I had been writ down an ass! 93

Exeunt.

ACT FIFTH

Scene One

[Before Leonato's House.]

Enter Leonato and his brother [Antonio] .

Ant. If you go on thus, you will kill yourself; And 'tis not wisdom thus to second grief Against yourself.

Leon. I pray thee, cease thy counsel,

77 naughty: good-for-norcglrt 79 suspect: i.e. 'tesfiect 84 piety: i.e. impcetjl 87 householder : Itcod of o l~orrsehold 88 as pretty . . flash: as fine a frl low 2 second: m i s t

Mzlch Ado Abozct Nothing, V . i

Which falls into mine ears as profitless 4

As water in a sieve: give not me counsel; Nor let no comforter delight mine ear But such a one whose wrongs do snit wit11 mine: Bring me a father that so lov'd his child, 8

Whose joy of her is overwhelm'd like mine, And bid him speak of patience; Measure his woe the length and breadth of mine, And let i t answer every strain for strain, 12

As thus for thus and such a grief for such, I n every lineament, branch, shape, and form: If such a one will smile, and stroke his beard; Bid sorrow wag, cry 'hem' when he should

groan, 16

Patch grief with proverbs ; make misfortune drunk

With candle-wasters ; bring him yet to me, And I of him will gather patience. But there is no such man; foi; brother, men 20

Can courlsel and speak comfort to that grief Which they themselves not feel; but, tasting it, Their counsel turns to passion, which before Would give preceptial medicine to rage, 24

Fetter s t ro~lg madness in a silken thread, Charm ache with air and agony with words. No, no; 'tis all men's office to speak patience To those that wring under the load of sorrow, 28

But no man's virtue nor sufficiency T o be so moral when he shali endure The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel: My griefs cry louder than advertisement. 32

7 suit: agree 12 strain: strong feeling 16 wag: pass on; c f . u. 18 candle-wasters: sleepless revellers cr sfudetrfs 24 preceptial: made up of fieccptz 26 air: mere breath 28 wring: writhe 30 moral: full o f wirdom 32 advertisement: adM'c*

Ant. Therein do men from children nothing differ.

Leon. I pray ,thee, peace! I will be flesh and blood;

FOT there was never yet philosopher That could endure the toothache patiently, 36

However they have writ the style of gods And made a pilslll at chance and suflerance.

Ant. Yet bend not all the h a m upon yourself ;

Make those that do offend you suffer too. ao Leon. There thou speak'st reason: nay, I will

Lo so. My soul doth tell me Hero is belied; And that sllall Clnudio know; so shall the

prince, And all of them that .th~zs dishonour her. 44

Ant. Here colne the prince and Claudio hastily.

Enter Prince and Claudio.

D. Pedro. Good den, good den. Claud. Good day t o both of you. Leon. Hear you, my lords,- D. Pedro. We have some haste, Leonato. Leon. Some haste, my lord! well, fare you

well, my lord: 4s

Are you so hasty now?-well, all is one. D. P e d ~ o . Nay, do not quarrel with us, good

old man. Ant. If he could right himself with quar-

relling,

37 style of: Iarrgacoyc ~uorf l t y of 38 push; cf. tr. sufferance: sufen'xg 49 all 16 one: 'tw all the santc

BlucE A d o A bout Noil~'i~tg, P. i

Some of us would lie low. Claud. Who wrongs him? 52

Leon. Marry, thou dost wrong me; thou dis- sembler, thou.

Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword; I fear thee not.

Claud. Marry, beshrew my hand, If it should give your age such case of fear. 56

In faith, my hand meant nothing to my sword. Leon. Tush, tush, man! never fleer and jest

a t me: I speak not like a dotard nor a fool, As, under privilege of age, to brag 60

What I have done being young,or what would do, Were I not old. Know, Claudio, to thy head, Thou hast so wrong'd mine innocent child and mi: That I am forc'd to lay nly reverence by, CA

And, with grey liairs and bruise of many days, Do challenge thee to trial of a man. I say thou hast belied mine innocent child: Thy slander hath gone through and througli her

heart, 68

And she lies buried with her ancestors ; O ! in a tomb where never scandal slept, Save this of hers, fram'd by thy villainy!

Claud. hIy villainy? Leon. Thine, Claudio; thine, I say. 72

D. Pedro. You say not right, old man. Leon. M y lord, my lord,

I'll prove it on his body, if he dare, Despite his nice fence and his active practice, His May of youth and bloom of lustihood. 76

55 beshrew: curse 58 fleer: sneer 62 to thy head: to thy face 75 fence: skill in fenn'sg 76 lustihood : u i g x

Mucla. Ado About Nothing, V . i

Clnud. Away! I will not have to do with you. Leon. Canst thou so daff me? Thou hast

kill'd my child ; If thou kill'st me, boy, thou shait kill a man.

Ant. He shall kill two of us, and men indeed: But that's no matter; let him kill one first: 81

Win me and wear me; let him answer me. Come, follow me, boy; come, sir boy, come, fol-

low me. Sir boy, 1'111 whip you from your foining fence; Nay, as I am a gentleman, I mill. 85

Leon, Brother,- Ant. Content yourself. God knows I lov'd

my niece ; And she is dead, slaneer'd to death by villains, That dare as well answer a man indeed 89

As I dare take a serpent by the tongue. Boys, apes, braggarts, Jacks, milksops !

Leon. Brother Antony,-- Ant. Hold yo11 content. What, man ! I know

them, yea, 02

~ n d what they weigh, even to the utmost scruple,

Scambling, out-facing, fashion-monging boys, That lie and cog and flont, deprave and slander, Go anticly, show outward hideousness, 96

And speak off half a dozen dangerolis words, How they might hnrt their enemies,if they durst; And this is 1 1 !

Leon. But, brother Antony,- Ant. Come, 'tis no matter: loo

82 Win me, etc cf. n. 84 foining: thrusting 94 Scarnbling: Wntentious out-facing: swaggering 95 cop: clreat deprave: vil ify 96 antidy: dressed like cloruns

Muc?~ Ado About Nothing, V . i

Do not yon meddle, let me deal in this. D. Pedro. Gentlemen both, me will not wake

your patience. My heart is sorry for your daughter's death; But, on my honour, she was charg'd with no-

thing 104

But what was true and very full of proof, Leon. My lord, my lord- D. Pedro. I will not hear you. Leon. No?

Come, brother, away. I will be heard.- Ant. And shall, or some of us will smart for

it. Exeunt Leonato and Antonio.

Enter Benediclc. D. Pedro. See, see; here comes the man we

went to seek. Claud. Now, sig~ior, what news? Bene. Good day, my lord. 112

D. Pedro. Welcome, signior: you are almost come to part almost a fray.

Claud. We had like to have had our tmo noses snapped off with two old men without teeth. 11 7

D. Pedro. Leonato and his brothep. What thinIrest tlio.~? Had we fought, I doubt we should have been too young for them. 120

Bene, In a false quarrel there is no true valour. I came to seek yoti both.

Claud. We have been up and down to seek thee ; for we are high-proof melancholy, and would fain have it beaten away. Wilt tRou use thy wit? 126

102 wake your patience 1 c f . n. 124 high-proof : in the I~zglrest degrcr

86 Much Ado About A70thing, P . :'

Bene. It is in my scabbard; shall I draw it? D. Pedro. Dost thou wear thy wit by thy

side ? Claud. Never any did so, though very many

have been beside their wit. I will bid thee draw, as we do the minstrels; draw, to pleasure us. 132

D. Pedro. As I am on honest man, he iooke pale. Art thou sick, or angry?

Claud. What, courage, man ! What though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care. 137

Bene. Sir, I shall meet your wit in the career, an you charge it against me. I pray you choose another subject;. 3 40

CEaztd. Nay then, give him another staff: this last was broke cross.

D. Pedro. B y this light, he changes more and more: I thinlr he be angry indeed. 144

Claud. I f he be, hc knows how to turn his girdle.

Bene. Shag 1 speak a word in your ear? Claud. God bless me from a challenge ! 148

Bene. [Aside to Claudia.] You are a villain; I jest not: I will make it good how you dnre, with what you darc, and when you dare. Do me right, o r I will protest your cowardice. You have killed a sweet lady, and her death shall fall heavy on you. Let me hear from you.

Claud. Well I will meet you, so I may have good cheer. 156

D. Pedro., What, a feast, a feast?

131 beside their wit: orrt of their w i t s draw: cf. fin. 138 in the career: at frill speed 139 charge: dilect 141 staff: lance 142 broke c r m ; cf. r. 145 turn his girdle; rf. $1 . 151 Do me right: give nle s a t i s f a c t ~ r 152 protest: proclaim

Jfzcch Ado A bout Noth,inq, 7 . i 8 7

Claud. I' faith, I thank him; he hath bid me to a calf's-head and a capon, tlie which if I do

'not carve most curiously, say my knife's naught. ' Shall I not find a woodcock too? 161

Bene. Sir, your wit ambles well; i t goes easily.

D. Pedro. I'll tell thee how Beatrice praised thy wit the other day. I said, thou hadst a fine wit. 'True,' says she, 'a fine little one.' 'No,' said I, 'a great wit.' 'Right,' said she, 'a great

>gross one.' 'Nay,' said I, 'a good wit.' 'Just,' said she, 'it hurts nobody.' ,Nay,' said I, 'the gentlemen is wise.' 'Certain,' said she, 'a wise gentleman.' 'Nay,' said I, 'he hath the tonpes.'l 'That I believe,' said she, 'for he swore a thing to me on Monday night, which Ile forswore on Tuesday morning: there's a double tongue; there's two tongues.' Thus did she, an hour together, trans-shape thy particular virtues ; pet at last she concluded with a sigh, thou wast the properest man in Italy. 178

Claud. For the which she wept heartily and said she cared not.

D. Pedro. Yea, that she did; but yet, for all that, an if she did not hate him deadly, she would love him dearly. The old man's dnughtex told us all. 184

Claud. All, all; and moreover, God saw him when he was hid in the garden.

D. Pedro. But when shall we set the savage bull's horns on the sensible Benedicls's head ? 189

160 curiously: daintily naught: worthless 161 woodcock: a stupld bird 170 a wise gentleman; cf. n. 176 transshape: distort

88 & f ~ c h Ad0 Aboz~ t Nolhhig, V. i

Claud. Yea, and text undernecih, 'Here dwells Benedick the married man!' 191

Bene. Fare you well, boy: yon know my mind. I will leave you now to your gossip-like humour: you brealr ,jests as braggarts do their blades, which, God be thanlred, hurt not. R4y lord,for your many courtesies I thank you: I m ~ s t discontinue your company. Your brother the bastard. is fled from Messina: you have, among you, killed a sweet and innocent lady. For my Lord Lack-beard there, he and I shall meet; and till then, peace be with him. [Exit . J

D. Pedro. H e is in earnest. Claz~d. I n most profound earnest; and, I'll

warrant you, for the love of Beatrice. 204

D. Pedro. And hat11 challenged thee? Clatsd. Most sincerely. D. Pedro. What a pretty thing man is when

he goes in his doublet and hose and leaves off his wit ! 209

Claud. I3e is then a giant to an ape; but then is an ape a doctor to such a man. D. Pedro. Bnt, soft you; let me be: pluck

up, my heart, and be sad! Did he not say my brother was fled? 214

Enter Constable [Dogberry, Verges, and Watch, wi th] Conrnde and Borachio.

Dogb. Come, you, sir: i f justice cannot tame you, she shall ne'er weigh more reasons in her balance. Nay, an you be a cursing hypocrite once, you must be looked to.

208 leaves off his wit; cj. tr. 21 1 doctor: learned ~ n ; ~ f . 6 612 soft you: gunfly 1 pluck up: rouse Chysslf

Nuch Ado About Noth:in.g, V . i

D. Pedro. How now! two of my brother's men bound ! Borachio, one! 220

Claud. Hearken after their offence, my lord. D. Pedro. Oficers, what offence have these

men done? Dogb. hfrrrry, sir, they have committed false

report; moreover, they have spoken untruths ; secondarily, they are slanders ; sixth and lastly, they have belied a lady; thirdly, they have verified unjust things; and to condude, they are lying knaves. 229

D. Pedro. First, I ask thee what they have done; thirdly, I ask thee what's their offence; sixth and lastly, why they are committed; and, to conclude, what you lay to their charge?

Claud. Rightly reasoned, and in his own division; and, by my troth, there's one meaning well suited. 236

D. Pedro. T'I7ho have you offended, masters, that you are thus bound to your answer? this learned constable is too cunning to be understood. What's your offence? 240

Bora;. Sweet prince, let me go no further to mine answer: do you hear nle, and let this count kill me. I have deceived even your very epes: what your wisdoms could not discover, these shallow fools have brought to light; who in the night overheard me: confessing to this man how Don John your brother incensed me to slander the Lady Hero; how you were brought into the orchard and saw me court Margaret

221 Hearken after: ittqttire into 226 slanders: i.e. slanderers 228 verified: i.e. testified 236 well suited; cf. n. 238 to your answer: to answer fo r yolcr conda~ct 247 incensed: instigated

YO ~ ~ I u c I ~ Ado A b0u.t Not7ting, V . i

in Hero's garments; how you disgraced her, when you should marry her. My villainy they have upon record; which I had rather seal with my death than repeat over to my shame. The lady is dead upon mine and my master's false accusation; and, briefly, I desire nothing but the reward of a villain. 356

D. Pedro. Runs not this speech like iron througli your blood?

Claud. I have drunk poison whiles he utter'd it.

D. Pedro. But did my brother set thee on to this?

Bora. Yea; and paid me richly for the practice of it. 260

D. Pedro. He is compos'd and fram'd of treachery :

And fled he is upon this villainy. Claud. Sweet Hero! now thy image doth

appear In the rare semblance that I lov'd it first 284

Dogb. Come, bring away the plaintiffs: by this time our sexton bath reformed S ip ior Leonato of the matter. And masters, do not forget to specify, when time and place shall serve, that I am an ass. SUQ

yerg. Here, here comes Master Si@or Leo- nato, and the sexton too.

Enter Leonato [, htonio , and the Sexton].

Leon. Which is the vilIain? Let me see his eyes, 972

265 plaintiffs: i.c. defendants 266 reformed: i.e. informed 268 specify: kc. frstrfy (?)

Jla.ch A d o About Nothinjj, V . i

That, when I note another man like him, I may ovoid him. Which of these is he?

Bora. If you would know your wronger, look on me.

Leon. Art thou the slave that with thy breath hast kill'd 276

Mine innocent child ? Bora. Yea, even I alone. Leon. No, not so, villain; thou beliest thy-

self: Here stand a pair of honourable men ; A third is fled, that had a hand in it. 280

I thank you, princes, for my daughter's death: Record it with your high and worthy deeds. 'Twas bravely done, if you bethink you of it.

Claud. I know not how to pray your patience ; 284

Yet I must speak. Choose your revenge yourself;

Impose me to what penance your invention Can lay upon my sin: yet sinn'd I not But iu mistaking.

D. PC Jro. By my soul, nor I: 288

And yet, to satisfy this good old man, I would bend under any heavy weight That he'll enjoin me to.

Leon. I cannot bid you bid my daughter live ; 292

That were impossible: but, I pray you both, Possess the people in hfessina here How innocent she died; and if your love Can labour aught in sad invention, 296

Hang her an epiteph upon her tomb,

286 Impose: subject 294 Possess : inform

Jiuch Ado About Nothing, V . i

And sing i t to her bones: sing it to-night. To-morrow morning come you to my house, And since you could not be my son-in-law, 300

Be yet my nephew. My brotheil hath a daughter, Almost the copy of my cliild that's dead, And she alone is heir to both of us: Give her the right you should have given her

cousin, 804

And so dies my revenge. Claud. 0 noble sir,

Your over-kindness doth wring tears from me! I do embrace your offer; and dispose For henceforth of poor Claudio. 808

Leon. To-morrow then I will expect your coming ;

To-night I take my leave. This naughty man Shall face to face be brought to hiargnret, Who, I believe, was pack'd in all this wrong, 312 Hir 'd to i t by your brother.

Bora. No, by my soul she was not; Nor knew not what she did when she spoke

to me; But always Ilath been just and virtuous I n anything that I do lmow by her. 316

Dogb. Bforeover, sir,-which, indeed, is not under white and black,--this plaintiff here, the offender, did call me ass: I beseech you, let it be remembered in his punishment. And also, the watcll heard thcm talk of one Deformed: they say Ile wears a key in his ear and a lock banging by it, and borrows money in God's name, the which he hath used so long and never

312 ack'd: impljcafsd 316 b: concernutp 318 under black and white: in r o r i f h ~

Much Ado About Nothing, V . a' 9 8.

paid, that now men grow hard-hearted, and will lend nothing for God's sake. Pray you, examine: him upon that point. 327

Leon. I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.

Dogb. Your worship speaks like a most thankful and reverend youth, and I praise God for you. 332

Leon. There's for thy pains. Dogb. God save the foundation! Leon. Go, I discharge thee of thy prisoner,.

and I thank thee. 336

Dogb. I leave an arrant knave ,with your. worship; which I beseech your worship to cor- rect yourself, for the example of others. God, keep your worship! I wish your worship well;. God restore you to health! I humbly give you leave to depart, and if n merry meeting may be: wished, God prohibit it ! Come, neighbour. 343.

Exeunt [Dogberry and Verges] ..

Leon. Until to-morrow morning, lords, farewell.

Ant. Farewell, my lords: we look for you to-morrow.

D. Pedro. We will not fail. Claud. To-night I'll mourn with Hero.

[Exeunt Don Pedro and Claudia.] Leon. [To the Watch.] Bring you these fe!-

lows on. We'll talk with Margaret, 347

How her acquaintance grew with this lewd? fellow. Exeunt. .

334 foundation; cf, n. 343 prohibit: &re bnmit (71.

Much Ado About Nothing, V . ii

Scene Two

[Lemcato's Orchard.]

Enter Benedick and Maryaret.

Bene. Pray thee, sweet hlistress Margaret, deserve well a t my hands by helping me to the speech of Beatrice.

', Uarg. Will you then write me a sonnet in praise o i my beauty? 5

Bene. I n so high a style, Margaret, that no man living shall coiue over i t ; for, in most comely truth, thou deservest it. 1y

IClarg. To have no man come over me! why, shall I always keep below stairs?

Benc, Thy wit is as quick as the grcyllound's nloutli ; it catches. 13

ICfa.rg. And yours as blunt as the fencer's foils, wliic11 hit, but hurt not.

Bene. A most manly wit, Margaret; it will not hurt a woman: and so, I pray thee, call Beatrice. I give thee the bucklers. 17

Xnrg. Give us the swords, we have bucklers of our own.

Bette. If you use them, Margaret, you must put in the pikes with a vice; and they are dangerous weapons for maids.

Marg. Well, I will call Beatrice to you, who I think hat11 legs. 24

Bene. And therefore will come. Exit Margaret.

6 style; cf. n. TO keep below stairs: reurain a scrvanl 17 give . . bucklers: yield 21 vice: cf. n.

.llfucJz Ado About Nothi.ng, 7. i.i 93

'The god of love, That sits above,

And knows me, and knows me, 28

How pitiful I deserve,-'

I mean, in singing; but in loving, Leander the good swimmer, Troilus the first employer of pandars, and a whole book full of these quondam carpet-mongers, whose names yet run smootllly in the even road of a blank verse, why, they were never so truly turned over and over as my poor self, in love. Marry, I cannot show i t in rime; 1 have tried: I can find out no rime to 'lady' but 'baby,' an innocent rime; for 'scorn,' 'horn,' a hard rime; for 'school,' 'fool,' a babbling/ rime; very ornirlous endings: no, I was not born under a riming planet., nor I cannot woo in festival terms. 42

Enter Beatrice.

Sweet Beatrice, wouldst thou come when I called thee ?

Beat. Yes, signior; and depart when you bid me.

Bene. 0, stay but till then! 47 Beat. 'Then' is spoken; fare you well now:

and yet, ere 1 go, let me go wi,th that I came for; which is, with knowing what hath passed between you and Claudio. li 1

Bene. Only foul words; and thereupon I will kiss thee.

Beat. Foul words is but foul wind, and foul

30, 31 Leander . . Troilus: cf. n. 32 quondam carpet-mongers: carpet-lttzights of old 38 innocent: silly 4 1 riming planet; sf. n. 42 festival terms: lofiguage not used every dar

- 96 Jluch Ado About Nothing, V . ii

wind is but foul breath, and foul breath is noi- some; therefore I will depest unkiased. 66

Bene. Thou hast frighted the word out of his right sense, so forcible is thy wit. But I must tell thee plainly, Claudio undergoes my challenge, and either I must shortly hear from him, or I will subscribe him a coward. And, I pray thee now, tell me, for which of my bad parts didst thou first fall in love with me? 63

Beat. For them all together; which main- tained so politic a state of evil that they will not admit any good part t o intermingle with them. But for which of my good parts did you first suffer love for me? 08

Bene. 'Suffer lovd,' a good epithet! I do suffer love indeed, for I love thee against my .will.

Beat. In spite of your heart, I think. Alas, poor heart! If you spite i t for my sake, I will spite i t for yours; for I will never love that which my friend hates. 75

Belte. Thou and I are too wise t o woo peace- ably.

Beat. It appears not in this confession: there's not one wise man among twenty that will praise himself. 80

Bene. An old, an old instance, Beatrice, that lived in the time of good neighbours. If a man do not erect in this age his own tomb ere he dies, he shall live no longer in monument than the bell rings and the widow weeps. 80

57 his: its 59 undergoes: is subject to ( 7 ) 61 subscribe: write down 65 politic: prudeqt !y governed U1 instance: saying (?) 82 time of good neighbours; c f . n.

lJluck~ Ado Abou4t Notlii~zg, TT. ii

Beat. And how long is that, think you? 86

Bene. Question: why, an hour in clamour and a quarter in rheum: therefore i t is most expedient for the wise,-if Don Worm, his conscience, find no impediment to the contrary,- to be the trumpet of bis own virtues, as I am to myself. So much for praising myself, who, I myself will bear witness, is praiseworthy. And now tell me, how doth your cousin?

Beat. Very ill. Bene. ~ n d how do you? 96

Beat. Very ill too. Bene. Serve God, love me, and mend. There

will I leave you too, for here comes one in haste. 100

Enter Ursula.

Urs. Madam, you must come to your uncle. Yonder's old coil at home: it is proved, my Lady Hero hath been falsely accused, the prince and Claudio mightily abased; and Don John is the autlior of all, who is fled and gone. Will you come presently ? 108

Beat. Will you go hear this news, signior? Bene. I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap,

and be buried in thy eyes ; and moreover I will go with thee to thy uncle's. Exezcnt.

87 Question: that is the qwestiofi clamour: Ce, ~ortnd of the bell

88 rheum: tears 89 Don.Worm ; cj. n. 98 mend: recover health 102 old coil : a great ado 104 abused : deceived

98 Much Ado A bout Nothing, 7. iii

Scene Three

[Tit7zi.n the Church]

Enter CEa.udio, Prince, and three or four with tapers.

Claud, Is this the irionument of Leonsto? A Lord. It is, my lord.

[Claud., reading t l te ] Epitaph.

Done to death by slanderous tongues Was the E-Iero that here lies: 4

Death, in guerd.on of her wrongs, Gives her fame wliicll never dies.

SG the life that died with shame Lives in death with glorious fame.' LP

Hang thou there upon the tomb, Praising her when I am dumb.

Now, music, sound, and sing your solemn hymn.

Song. 'Pardon, goddess of tile night, 12

Those that slew t hy virgin knight; For the which, with songs of woe, Round about I~cr tomb they go.

Rlidnigl~t, assist our moan ; 16

Help us to sigh and groan, Heavily, heavily : Graves, yawl1 and yield your dead, Till death be uttered, 20

Heavily, hezvily.'

Claud. NOW, unto thy bones good night! Yearly will I do this rite.

9.10 Cf. n. 20 uttered; cf. n.

filuch Ado About Nothing, V . iv 99

D. Pedro. Good morrow, masters: put your torches out. 24

The wolves hare prey'd; and look, the gentle day,

Before the wheels of Phcebus, round about Dapples the drowsy east with spots of grey.

Tbanks to you all, and leave us : fare you well. Claud. Good morrow, masters: each his se-

veral way. 29

D.Pedro . Come, let us hencb, and put on otlier weeds ;

And then to Leonato's we will go. Claud. And Hymen now with luckier issue

speed's, 32

Than this for whom we render'd up this woe! Exeunt.

Scene Four

[Leonato's House]

Enter Leonato, Antonio, Benedick, [Beatrice,] Margaret, Ursu.la., F ~ i n r and Hero.

Friar. Did I not tell you she was innocent? Leon. So are the prince and Claudio, who

accus'd her Upon the error tllot you heard debated: But Margaret; was in some fault for this, 4

Although against her will, as it appears In the true course of all the question.

A.nt. Wel1,I am glad that all things sort so well.

25 have prey'd: llave ceared to prey (night is over) 30 weeds: gartnet~ ts 32 luckier issue: belter forttine speed's: grant rrs he!# 33 this; cf. 3 1 . 3 debated : disc~cssed 6 In the true course, etc.,: cf. n.

Jluch Ado About Nothi~ng, V . iu

Bene. And so am I, being else by faith enforc'd T o call young Claudio to a reckoning for it. 9

Leon. Well,dtrughter, and you gentlewomen all, ?F7ithdram into a chamber by yourselves, And when I send for you, come hither, mask'd: The prince and Claudio promis'd by this hour To visit me. Exeunt ladies.

You know your office, brother; You must be father to your brother's daughter, And give her to young Claudio. 16

Ant. Which I will do with confirm'd coun- tenance.

Bene. Friar, 'l must entreat your pains, I think. F ~ i n r . T o do what, signior ? Bene. T o bind me, or undo me; one of them.

Signior Leonato, truth it is, good signior, 21

Your niece regards me with an eye of favour. Leon. That eye my daughter lent her: ' t ia

most true. Bene. And I do with an eye of love requite her. Leon. The sight wl~ereof I think, you had

from me, 26

From Claudio, and the prince. But what's your will ?

Bene. Your answer, sir, is enigmatical: But, for my will, my will is your good will 2a

May stand with ours, this day to be conjoin'd I11 the state of honourable marriage: I n which, good friar, I shall desire your help.

Leon. M y heart is with your liking. Friar. And my help. 82

Here come the prince and Claudio.

8 by faith: by my pledged word 17 confirm'd: steady 20 undo: (1) unbind, (2) ruin

Jlu,ch Ado About Nothing, 7. iv 101

Enter Prince and Claudio, with Attendants.

D. Pedro. Good morrow to this fair assembly. Leon. Good morrow, prince; good morrow,

Claudio : We here attend you. Are you yet determin'd To-day to marry with my brother's daughter? 37

Claud. I'll hold my mind, were she an Ethiop. Leon. Call her forth, brother: here's the friar

ready. [Exit Antonio.] D. Pedro. Good morrow, Benedick. Why,

what's the matter, 40

That you have such a February face, So full of frost, of storrn and cloudiness?

Claud. I think he thinks upon the savage bull. Tush ! fear not,man, we'll t ip thy horns with gold, And all Europa shall rejoice at thee, 45

As once Europa did a t lusty Jove, When he would play the noble beast in love.

Bene. Bull Jove, sir, had an amiable low: 48

And some such strange bull leap'd your father's COW,

And got a calf in tha t same noble feat, Much like to you, for you have just his bleat.

Claud. For this I owe you: here come other reckonings. 62

Enter Antonio [with] Hero, Beatrice, Margaret, Ursula [masked].

Which is the lady I must seize upon? Rat. This same is she, and I do give you her. Claud. Why, then she's mine. Sweet, let mc

see your face.

43 Cf. n. 45, 46 Europa; cf. s. 52 owe you: i,e. ow8 you as onsrrrr)

1 Much Ado il bout Nothiotg, V . iv

Leon. No, that you shall not, till you take her hand 66

Before this friar, and swear to marry her. Claud. Give me your hasd: before this holy

friar, I am your husband, if you like of me.

Hero. And when I liv'd, I was your other wife:

[ Unmaslc i~~g. ]

And when you lovJd, you were my other husband. 6 I

Claud. Another Hero ! Hero. Nothing certainer

Onc Hero died defil'd, but I do live, And surely as I live, I am a maid. 64

D.Pedro. The former Hero ! Hero that is dead ! Leon. She died, my lord, but whiles her slan-

der liv'd. F ~ i n r . All this amazement can I qualify:

When after that the holy rites are ended, 68

I'll tell you largely of fair Hero's death: Meantime, let worider seem familiar, And to the chapel let us presently.

Bene. Soft and fair, friar. ~lTliich is Beatrice? Beat . [I/'n?itasking.] I answer t o that name.

What is your will? 73

Bene. Do not you love me? Beat. ll~lly, no; no more than reason. Bene. \lTliy, then, your uncle and the prince

and Claudio Have been deceived; for the^ swore yon did. 76

Beat . Do not you love me? Bene, Troth, no ; no more khan reason.

59 like of: care for 61 qualify: moderate 69 largely: fully 30 let wander, dtc.; cf, ti. 77 Troth: by tny troth

Much Ado About Notl~~ing, V . iv 103

Beat. Why, then, my cousin, Margaret, and Ursula,

Are much deceiv'd; for they did smear yon did. Bene. They swore that you were almost sick

for me. so Beat. They swore that you were well-nigh

dead for me. Bene. 'Tis no such matter. Then, you do not

love me? Beat. No, truly, but in friendly recompense. Leon. Come, cousin, I am sure you love the

gentleman. 84

Claud. And I'll be sworn upon 't that he loves her ;

For here's a paper written in his hand, A halting sonnet of his own pure brain, Fashion'd to Beatrice.

Hero. And here's another, 88

Writ in my cousin's hand, stolen from her pocket,

Containing her affection unto Benedick. Bene. A miracle! here's our own hands

against our hearts. Come, I will have thee; but, by this light, I take thee for pity. 93

Beat. I would not deny you; but, by this good day, I yield upon great persuasion, and partly to save your life, for I mas told you were in a consumption. 97

Bene. Peace! T will stop your mouth. [Kisses her.]

D. Pedro. How dost thou, 'Benedick, the mar* ried man' ? 100

Bene. I'll tell thee what, prince; a college of

B7 his own pure: purely hrlr own 99, 100 Cf n.

104 Much Ado About Nothing, Y. iv

witcrackers cannot flout me out of my humour. Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epi- gram? No; if a man will be beatcn with brains, a' shall wear nothing handsome about him. In brief, since I do purpose to marry, I will think nothing to any purpose that the world can say against it; and thereforc never flout a t me for what I have said against it, for man is a giddy thing, and this is my conclusion. For thy part, Claudio, I did think to have beaten thee; but, in that thou art like to be my kinsman, live nn- bruised, and love my cousin. 11s

Claud. I had well hoped thou wouldst have denied Beatrice, that I might have cudgelled thee out of thy single life, to make thee a double- dealer; which, out of question, thou wilt be, if my cousin do not; look exceeding narrowly to thee. 110

Bene. Come, come, we are friends. Let's have a dance ere we are married, that we may lighten our own hearts and our wives' hecls.

Leon. We'll have dancing afterwnrd. Bene. First, of my word; therefore play,

music! Prince, thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife: there is no staff more reverend than one tipped with horn. 121

Enter bferaenger.

Mer. My lord, your brother John is ta'en in flight,

And brought with armed men back to Messina.

104 beaten with brains, etc.; cf. n. 116 double-deaier; cf. r. 124 of: on

Much A d o About Notlz,i~lg, V . izr 105

Bene. Think not on him till to-morrow: I'll devise thee brave punishments for him. Strike up, pipers ! Dance.

131 brave: fin#

FINIS,

NOTES

I. i S. d [Before Antonio's Orchard]. etc. The quarto edition of this play (1600) makes no division into either acts or scenes. The folio edition (1623) divides the acts correctly, but does not mark the separate scenes, except in the case of thc present onc, the first. Neither of the early editions indicates where the action of the various scenes occurs. I n the present instance modern editors have usually located the scene 'Before Leonato's House.' Lines 98-100 and 286, however, suggest that Leonato and his family have come to meet their distinguislied guests near the cdge of the town, and lines 10-12 of scene ii point to the neighborhood of Antonio's orchard (i .e. garden) as the place of rneeti~ig. See L. Rl ason, Modern Philology, xi. 379-89. I. i. S. d. Innogen, his w i f e . Leonato's wife

is mentioned only in tllis stage direction and in that at the opening of Act 11. Modern editors hare therefore regularly o~nittcd her name in both places. It is possible that Shakespeare gave her a snlnll part in the first draft of the play, and subsequently cut it out for the sake of compression.

I. i. 7 sort. The interpetation of this word given in the footnote is preferred by most editors; but it is possible to take the word in the more general sense which it bears at present: 'kind.'

I . i. 30 Mountauto. A term in fencing, 'upper-cut,' used by Beatrice to characterize Benedick's lively and pugnacious disposition.

M3ch Ado About Nothing - - --

I . i. 40-42 challenged Cupid . . bird-bolt. The jest is that Benedick vaingloriously challenged Cupid to a contest at shooting hearts, to which 1,eonato's fool replied by suggesting himself as Benedick's proper competitor and the childish bird-bolt as his proper weapon.

I . i. 60 s t u f e d . . gtufing. Beatrice calls Benedick a 'stuffed' man because of his prone- ness to over-eat; then, playing with the phrase, suggests that his 'stuffing'-what is in him, what he is made of-is of no very fine quality.

I . i. 67 five wits. 'Not the five senses, but the five other wits: the mcmory, fantasy, estimation, imagination, and common wit. Benedick is left the last only.'

i, i. 7r bear it for a difference. Alluding to a term in her ~ldrv, where a 'difference' was some slight mark Jded to differentiate coats of arms otherwise indistinguishable. I. i. 7 2 to be known, etc. This infinitive

dause is the subject ~f the sentence. Bare recognition as a rational creature, not a dumb animal, is all the intellectual wealth Benedick has left.

I . i. 90 the Benedick. Beatrice affects to think the harmful result of Benedick's company a physical disease, like the colic.

I. i. 142 a predestinate scratched face. The gentleman destined to marry Beatrice is pre- destined to have his face scratched by her. If she refuses to marry, he will escape that destiny.

I. i. 143 an. The conjunction 'and,' one old meaning of which was 'if.' Here and regularly elsewhere the old editions spell 'and,' which modern editors alter for the sake of clearness.

I. i. 146 A b i ~ d of my tongue, etc. 'A bird taught to speak like me,' alluding t o Benedick's gibe, 'parrot-teacher.' The latter part of the

Much Ado About Nothing 109

sentence implies that only a beast could be tauglit to speak like Benedick.

I. i. 151 a jade's trick. Some such trick of a bad horse as slipping the head out of the collar and escaping. Beatrice gibes a t Bene- dick's sudden breaking off of the dispute.

I . i. 171 noted. Benedick puns on one of the lass obviolis meanings of tllk word. Possibly t!le sense he has in mind is to provide with notes, set to music: 'I did not set the young lady to music,' i.e. did not go into raptures over her. I. i. 192, 193 Cupid . . ca.rpe?ater. I t would

be an obvious absurdity to select the blind god, Cupid, to spy out the sitting hare, or t o name Vulcnn, the god of the flaming forge, as a proper person to work with the carpenter's inflammable materials.

I . i. 208 wear Itis cap with suspicion. 'De, ceived husbands, according to the ancient jest, wore invisible horns. Every husband, therefore, would suspect his cap of concealing horns.' ( MacCracken.) I. i. 212 sigh nroay Suitdays. It is hardly

clear whether Sundays are particularly named becauce the days normally most happily spent or because the discontented husband wollld be most conscious of his yoke in the special domesticity of Sundays.

I. i. 226-228 Lilce the old tale, etc. An old children's tale, somewhat similar to that of Bluebeard, survived till the eigl~ teenth century, in which occurred the wards: ' I t is not so, nor i t was not SO, and God forbid it should be so.' I. i. 251 rechea.t winded in my forehead . .

invisible baldrick. Another allusioll to the invisible 'horns'; cf. note on 1. 208. The recheat was a horn blast blown (winded) to recall the

110 Much A d o About Nothing

hounds from the chase; the baldrick, a strap morn across the s2iotzlder and supporting the horn.

I. i. 264 for the sigta of blind Cupid. Allud- ing to the pictorial signs hung up before places of business in Shrrltespeare's time. Benediclr, treated as he suggests and hung up at the door, would make a proper illustration for 'The Blind Cupid.'

I . i. 267 hang me in a bottle like a cat, etc. 'Bottle' means probably the wicker basket used to hold the cat used as the mark in archcry contests.

I . i. 269 called Adam. A special title of honor for the successful archer, doubtless from the fame of the archer-outlaw of the ballads, Adam Bell.

I. i. 271 ' I n time the savage bull doth bear the yolce.' A line quoted from memory, ant1 not quite accurately, from Thomns Kyd's famous Spanish Tragedy (composed about 1687). I. i. 281, 282 Crrpid . . Venice. Venice tras

famed for frivolity. I . i. 284 temporize. The meaning is not cer-

tain. 'Come to terms' is one explanation; another, rather more probable, is 'become tern- pered', i.e. grow milder. 'With the hours' means 'in the course of time.'

I . i. 290-291 u t ~ d so ir c~fnrni t you . . you? loving friend, Beneclick. The words of Bene- dick suggest to Clandio the conventional mode of concluding formal letters, which he and Don Pedro proceed to parody. The sixth of July, formerly celebrated as Ifidsummer Day, is mentioned because of its suggestion of 'mid- summer maclness,'

I. i. 296 guarded witA fragments, etc. Meta- phors from tailoring. Benedick means that Don

Murc72 A d o About Nothing 111

Pedro and Claudio cannot in conscience afford to mock at trite phrases ('flout old ends'), for their own conversation is often made up of just such materials very poorly assimilated.

I. i. 327 The fairest grant is the necessity. The best gift is the one which just fits the need of the recipient; i.e. i t is a mistake to be exces- sive.

I. ii. 2 my cousin, your son. Antonio's son is not elsewhere mentioned, and V. i. 303 suggests that he has no son. The inconsisteilcy may be due to oversight. The 'cousins' and 'cousin' addressed by Leonato in 11. 27 and 29 are probably more distant relatives, depcndanta of his household.

I. iii. 12 born under Saturn. According to the old belief, persons born under the domina- tion of the planet Saturn acquired the morose disposition hence called satu~nine.

I. iii. 61 smolcinq a musty roonz. Elizabethan rooms, strewn with stale rushes, often required perfuming' in order to dispel unpleasant odors.

comes me. Shakespeare very frequent1.y employs a dative personal pronoun, as here, in a sense not found in modern usage. It is sometimes called the 'ethical' dative and merely suggests the interest of the person referred to in the act mentioned.

11. i. 43 lead his upes into hell. An allusion to a very common ancient saying that women who died old maids 'led apes in hell.' The origin of the phrase is uncertain; it may refer to the weakness of elderly spinsters for pet animals. Small apes held the place in their affection in Tudor times which ca-ts hold to-day- 11. i. 51 for the heavens. The phrase can be

iuterpreted either (1 ) 'on my way to heaven,'

112 Much Ado About Nothing

St. Peter being the gate-keeper whom one met before entering; or (2) as a petty oath equivalent to 'by heaven' or perhaps 'for dear life.'

11. i. 86 I ca.n see a church by da.ylight. 'I am not wholly blind.' The church wo!~lcl be the most conspicuous object in nearly any old town.

11. i. 100 Philemon's ~ o o f . A reference to the story in Ovid's Metamorphoses (bk. viii) of how the peasant couple, Philemon and Baucis, entertained Jupiter under their humble roof. Hence, thatch'd in line 108, peasant cottages having thatched roofs. 11. i. 115 Answer, clerlc. Balthazar's Amen

in the previous speech reminds Margaret of the parish clerk, whose business was to read out the responses at churc21 in a Ioud voice.

11. i. 137 the 'Hundred Merry l'ales.' A popular collec.tion of coarse anecdotes. 11. i. 150 fleet. Properly a company of

vessels sailing together, Beatrice uses the word of the company of masqueraders present. The nautical suggestion of the word leads her to continue the figure in the word boarded, which implies the attack of one vessel on another. 11. i. 186 use. It is disputed whether this

word is a plain indicntive or a subjunctive, equivalent to 'let all hearts . . use.' The letter seems more probable.

11. i. 196-198 willow . . garland. Referring to the garlands of weepirig wil.10~ worn by forsaken lovers. 11. i. 207 lilse the blind man, etc. An allusion

to an incident a t the close of the first chapter of the Spanish novel, Lazarillo de Torn~es .

11. i . 212 creep into sedges. Waterfowl, when ~ rmnded , creep for shelter into the sedges along

Much Ado About Nothing -

the river bank. So Claudio will go off and pine by himself.

11. i. 217 base thoz~gh bitter. The adjectives have been condemned as unintelligible in their context; but Benedick means to condemn the disposition of Beatrice as 'base,' i.e. unworthy, unjust, while admitting that her words have a sting (bitterness) which 'base' criticisms do not usually possess. 11. i, 223 Lady Fame. The Vergilian deity

Fama, Rumor, who goes about the world spread- ing news.

11. i. 243, 244 If their singing, etc. 'If the birds sings as you say (i.e. if Hero consents to do as you intend and marry Claudio) . . . what you say is creditable to you.' 11, i. 256 like a man at n mark. In archery

contests a man stood beside the mark to check off the contestants' arrows as they stnick. It was a perilous position when the archers shot badly. 11. i. 260 infect to the north star. The infec-

tion of her breath would reach beyond planetary space.

11. i. 263 made Hercules have turned spit, etc. Beatrice would have treated Hercules worse than Omphale, who in the legend put him into domestic service. Turning the spit was the meanest office in the Elizabethan kitchen. It was often performed by dogs.

11. i. 265 infevnal Ate in good apparel. Bea- trice is like Ate, the goddess of discord, in everything except that she wears the clothes of a fashionable gentlewoman. 11. i. 266 1 would . . some scholar would con-

jure her. Scholars were reputed to be able to raise up and banish evil spirits.

Aluch Ado About Nothi*

11. i. 278 Prester John's foot. Prester John was a fabled Christian king, supposed to live in some remote part of Asia or Africa.

11. i. 279 the Great Cham's beard. The Great Cham or Grand Khan was the ruler of the hf ongols.

11. i. 280 the Pigmies. The fabulous race who fought with cranes.

11. i. 282 Itarpy. The Harpies were rapacious female monsters wlio afflicted voyagers.

11. i. 306 civil . . civil. A pun on civil and Seville, commonly spelled and pronounced alike. Seville oranges are bitter-sweet, neither one thing nor the other. Hence the application to Clalidio. Yellow, the color of oranges, is also the cdor (complexion) of jealousy (1. 307).

11. i. 332 allialzce. 1.e. relationship by marriage. Beatrice teases Claudio for addressing her as 'cousin' as i f he were already married to her cousin Hero.

11. i, 333 sun-bu.rnC. Probably, a mild way of saying 'unattractive'; but some editors ex- plain it as 'exposed to the sun,' unsheltered, i.e. a lone woman.

11. ii. 45 temt me Claudio. Editors have found difficulty in understanding why Margaret should address Borachio by any name but his own; but how is Margaret, who is not privy to the design against her mistress, to be prevented from suspecting a plot when she hears herself loudly called 'Hero,' unless Borachio has pre- viously persuaded her to act out a little play in which they are to simulate the happiness of the declared lovers ?

11. iii. 5 1 am here already, sir. The boy in- dulges in hyperbole: 'I will go so fast that you may say I am back again already.' Bene- dick pretends to take his words literally.

Much A d o About Nothing

11. iii. 15 the tabor and the pipe. Drum and fife (1. 14) are of course the instrume,nts of martial music; tabor (a small drum) and pipe are the corresponding instruments which appear in times of peaceful revelry.

11. iii. 35 noble . . angel. A pun, frequent in Shakespeare, on the names of two coins of his day. A 'noble' was wort11 one-third of rt sovereign (i.e. 6s. 8d.), an 'angel' half a sovereign (~OS.):.. 11. 111. 37 of what colour it please God. That

is, her hair must not be dyed. 11. iii. 39, S. d. Bnlthnrtar. The folio edition

liere substitutes for 'Balthazar' the name of the actor took his part : Iaclce m'ilsorr. Com- pare the note on IV. ii.

11. iii. 45 liid-fox. Since 'kid fox' does not appear to have been a current name for a young fos, many of the best editors are disposed to alter the text to 'the hid fox.' 11. iii. 49, 50 I t is the witness still of excel-

Zencg, etc. 'It is always (s t i l l ) a proof of excellence that, in demeanour, it is unconscious, or unknowing, of its own perfection.' (Fur- ncss.)

11. iii. 59 crotchets. A pun on two meanings of the word: (1) whims, (2) notes of music. 11. iii. 60 ?totes, notes, forsooth, clnd nothing!

A pun is evident here, 'notlling' being pronounced by Elizabethans much or precisely like 'noting.' It has been suggested that rt similar pun is involved in the title of the play, Much Ado abozrt hTotfiing (or A70ting, i.e. eaves- dropping). 11. iii. 90 night-mven. The voice of this bird

(which has not been certainly identified) was supposed to betoken some 'plague,' especially sickness or death.

11s illuch Ado About Nothing

11. iii. 92 Yea, marry. Tllese words have no reference, of course, to the speech of Benedick, who has hidden himself apart from the others (cf. 1. 48). Furncss explains that while Bene- dick speaks the Prince has been talking to Claudio about the music for Hero 'to-morrow night' (1. 94) and that he here assents t o Claudio's suggestion.

11. iii. 101 Stallc u~c, etc. A figure from game- stalking. The 'fowl' is Benedick, whom they hope to catch 'sitting.'

11. iii. 261 paper Lrtllets of the brain. Quips and sentences, Benedick foresees, will be shot at him like bullets, but being taken from books, they are but paper bullets, which do no real injury. For career in the sense of full speed, cf. V. i. 138.

111. i. 45 as full as. Pcssibly a misprint for at full as, 'fully as.'

111. i. 61 spell him backward. Alluding to the practice of conjurors, who spell prayers and holy names backwar& in order tg produce jn- cantations. Thc ineaning is: turn his virtues into vices.

111. i. 101 every clay-to-morrow. The meaning seems to be: 'I am married every day-it is constantly in my thonghts; but the actual time is to-morrow.' Perhaps, however, I lero refers to the postponemeilt of the ceremony (cf. 11. i. 374 ff.) and means: 'Every day it is set for the nest.' 111. i. 110 behind the baclc. 1.e. when their

back is turned, when people talk about them. 111. i. 112 Tnrjiing my rcjild heart to thy

loving Itand. A figure suggested by the taming: of a hawk, which comes to know the hand of the falconer.

filuch Ado dbozht Nothing

111. ii. 24 hang . . draw. Alluding to the punishment of traitors, who were hanged, drawn, and quartered.

111. ii. 27 a hzimour or a worm. Contempo- rary dental theory ascribed toothache, among other causes, to the presence of humors, i.e. unhealthy secretions, and to actual worms in the teeth.

111. ii. 37 no doublet. That is, no doublet is to be seen, because, like a Spaniard, the upper part of his body is quite enveloped by Piis cloalr.

111. ii. 46, 47 the old orl$n?nent of his cheek ltath already stured tennis-balls. H e has cut off his beard. The tennis-bds of the day were sometimes stuffed with human hair.

111. ii. 70 buried with her face upwards. Suicides were sometimes buried with their faces downward. The Prince means that Beatrice will not be responsible for her own death.

111, ii. 75 hobby-horses. Originally morris- dancers dressed to look like horses; hence any ridiculously frivolous persons.

111. ii. 90 This line should perhaps be as- signed to Claudio.

111. iii. 106 scab. Modern usage of 'scab' for a scurvy fellow renders the pun still intel- ligible.

111. iii. 143 god Bel's priests. Threescore and ten priests of Be1 are mentioned iv the Apocryphal book of Daniel.

111. iii. 147 the fasllion wears out amow apparel than the man. That is, new clothes are required oftener to conform to changes of fashion than for actual use.

111. iii. 176 right Master constable. AD absurd title. The speaker is thinking of such respectful phrases as 'right worshipful.' 111. iii. 188, 189 commodity . . bills. 'Bills'

31ucl8 Ado About Nothing

is used punningly with reference, first, to the bills (halberds) of the watch; second, to the comnlon commercial phrase, 'to take up a commodity on one's bills,' i.e. buy merdlandise on credit.

111. iv. 13 withila. Furness prefers to take 'tire within' as meaning the inner trimming of the head dress. Withiu may, however, mean 'in an inner room.'

111. iv. 32 sawin,g your reverence. A cornmoll expression, sometimes abbreviated 'sir-reverence.' It means that no disrespect to the hearer is intended.

111. v. 18 palabras. A scrap of Spanis11: pocas pnlnbras, few words.

111. v, 37 when the age is in , etc. An original adaptation of an old proverb: 'When ale is in, wit is out.'

111. v. 39 God's ca good man. A proverbial saying.

111. v. 68 non-come. Dogberry probably means 'non plus,' but conf~zses that bit of learning with another: 'nun compos mentis.'

IV. i. 22 some be of laughing, as ah! ha! he! Alluding to the way Latin and English gram- mars of the day listed the interjections according to the emoltions they expressed,

IV. i. 45 i n your OWTZ proof. ' In making trial of her yourself,' (Wright.)

IV. i. 69 True! Hero's exclamation refers to Don John's speech, not Renedick's,

IV. i. 85 H e r o itself , etc. 'The very name, by becoming a byword and a reproach, can blot out virtue.' (Furness.)

IV. i. 140 That I rn-yself was to myself taot rnit7.e. 1.3. Hero was so much a part of me that by comparison I was not myself.

BIucl~ A d o About Nothing 110'

IV. i. 169 T l ~ e tenoztr of my boolc. 'Book' is used in the general sense of the learning gained from books, the tenor or general nature of which is warranted ( i .e , confirmed) by the Friar's practical observations of life. IV. i. 239 But if all aim but this be Eevell'd

false. 'If every other aim miscarry.' IV. i. 254 For to strange sores strangely

tlrey strain the cure. 'Strangc diseases requirt desperately strange cures.' IV. ii. The early editions, both quarto and

folio, prefix to the speeches of Dogberry and Verges in this scene the names of the actors who originally took their parts; via., Kempe and Cowley respectively. The phrase 'in gowns' in the opening stage dilection means that the constnbles and town clerk (sexton) wore their gowns of office. IV. ii. 5 Dogb. In this case the early edi-

tions give the speech to 'Andre~r,' perhaps a nichiame of the clown or Merry-Andrew, Kempe. IV, ii. 73, 74. In the early editions these

lines form a single speech, printed thus: 'Let. them be in the hands of Coxcornbe.' The folio gives the words to the Sexton, tIie quarto to Cowley (i.e. Verges). hlalone suggested the accepted reading, which canilot be regarded as certain.

V. i. 16 Bid sorrow wag. Capell's einenda- tion. The early editions have 'And sorrow, wagge,' which apparently makes no sense. V. i. 38 made a push. Tile most probable

meaning is made s 'pis11 !', i.e. mocked. V. i. 82 Win me and wear me. A proverbial

phrase: 'He may have me if he wins me (by the sword4 .'

120 Much A d o About Nothing,

V . i. 102 wake your patience. 'We will not keep your patience wakeful or excited.' It would be more natural to say 'wake your im- patience,' but the Prince is too pozte to use the uncomplimentary term. V, i. 131 draw. The word is used punningly,

with special reference to bidding tlie minstrels draw their bows across the strings of their instruments.

V . i. 142 brolce cross. Like 'in the career' above (1. 138), tllis is a f i g ~ r e from the t i l t i q matdies of the day. Only a very awkward t i l h r mould aim so badly as to break his staff 'cross,' i.e. not by a direct blow, but by allowing i t to strike lengthwise across his opponent's body. V. i. 146 turn his girdle. A common prover-

bial saying of rather vague force. Probably it means no more than 'change his mood,' but i t has also been explained as 'prepare to fight,' referring t o the alleged custom of wrestlers to turn the buckles of their girdles to the back before beginning. V. i. 170 n wise genflemnn. Evidently the

words, as repeated by Beatrice, had some col- loquial derogatory force now lost. Perliaps they were a cant name for a fool. V. i. 208, 209 goes in his doublet and hose

and leaves o f his wit. Doublet and hose formed the Elizabethan undress costume, a cloak being worn over them on formal occasions. The Prince suggests ironically that man's wit is a mere outward embellishnlent which he can leave off as easily as hc can his cloak and go about in his natural stupidity. V. i. 210 He is then a giant to a78 ape, etc.

In physical proportions man is much greater than an ape (i .e. an Elizabethan pet ape, a

Jfuch Ado A bout Nothing

small monkey), but in mental power the ape is far superior.

V. i. 235 one meaning well suited. One meaning provided with many different suits of clothes; alluding to the previous speech of Don Pedro, where practically the same idea is expressed in four different ways.

V . i. 334 God save the foundation. A cus- tomary phrase, used by those who received assistance from a cllaritable foundatioil, quite out of place here since Leonato is not a 'foundation.'

V. ii. 6 so high a sty le . A pun on the two words, 'style' and 'stile,' is intended; 'come over' in the next line implying both 'excel' the style and 'climb over' the stile.

V. ii. 21 with a vice. A play on 'vice,' the screw by which the sharp pointed 'pike' was fastened in the centre of the buckler, and 'vice,' sin. V. ii. 30, 31 Leander . . Troilus. Allusions

probably to Marlowe's Hero and Leander and Chaucer's Troilus and Criseide respectively.

V. ii. 41 not born under a riming planet. Alluding to the old-fashioned belief in the in- fluence exerted upon each man's temperament by the particular planet which was most conspicuous when he was lorn. V. ii. 82 in the tinae of good neighbours. I n

the time when people's neighbours used to speak well of them-a very long time ago. V. ii. 89 Don Worm, his conscience. The old

moralists represented conscience as a gnawing worm. The title 'Don' is given it from mock respect.

V. iii. 9, 10 Hang thou there upon the tomb, etc. Dr. Furness holds that these lines are not Claudia's comment while affixing the epitaph,

Much Ado About Nothing

but part of the epitaph itself; but compare Claudio's similar riming comment below, ll. 22, 23. V, iii. 20 Till death be uttered. There has

been much unnecessary discussion of the meaning of this passage. I t is clear if we understand uttered in the common Elizabethan sense of 'sent abroad,' 'put into circulation.' The word is regularly so used with regard to books placed on sale, news made public, etc. The meaning here is, then, that the graves are to yawn and yield their dead until death is scat- tered abroad among the world of men.

V. iii. 33 Than this, etc. 'This' probably refers to Hero: 'May Hymen grant us a happier outcome than he granted to her whose marriage was the means of her death.' Hymen is the god of marriage. Dr. Furness explains 'Than this' as rt co~itraction for ' t l~an in this (issue) .' V. iv. 6 Ivr the tme course of all the question.

'Now that the whole question has been truly followed up.'

V. iv. 43 I think he thinks upon the savage bull. A jesting reminiscence of the conversation between Don Pedro and Benedick, I. i. 270-278.

V. iv. 45, 46 Europa . . Europa. In the first instance the continent of Europe, in the second the mythological maiden, supposed to have been carried off by Jupiter in the form of o, bull, and to have given her name to the land whither she was brought. V. iv. 70 let w o n d e ~ seem familiar. 'Act as

if your curiosity had already been satisfied.' V. iv. 99, 100 'Benedick, the married man.'

See I. i. 278. V. iv. 104 beaten with bminr. Subjected to

ridicule. If a man fears ridicule, Benedick says,

H U C ~ Ad0 About Nothiq%g 123

he will not dare to have anything linndsome about him (whether clothes or a wife), which might attract attention to him. V. iv. 116 a double-dealer. Used plmningly,

first of one who gives up his single life for ;he double life of matrimony, and then with an allusion to double-dealing, inconstancy,

APPENDIX A

Much Ado about Nothing is a good example of the sort of originality wlich usually marks Shakespeare's plots. No source other than the poet's olvn invention has been discovered for those parts of the play which give it its particular charm and inberest-the story of Bene- dick and Beatrice and the delectable folly of Dogberry. The famous scenes constructed about these figures seem to be based solely upon Shakespeare's lmowlcdge of contemporary Eng- lish character, as he had studied i t in cultivated and in plebeian circles respectively. The author turned to books for his material only it1 the case of the story of Hero and Claudio.

The tale of two lovers, estranged by an envious villain by incans of a sham interview between the lady and another man, has been fo~znd in the literature of many countries. It is likely that Shakespeare knew it in the form developed by the Itdian story-writer, hfatteo Bandello (1480-156l), the twentieth tale of whose collection (published at Lucca in 1554) 'telleth how Signor Tinlbreo di Cardonn (Shake- speai.eYs Claudio) being with King Piero of Arragon (Shakespeare's Don Pedro) in hles- sina, became enamonred of Fenicia Lionata (Shakespeare's Hero, daughter of Leonitto), and of the various and unlooked-for chances which befell before he took her to wife.'

In this story we have the same scene of action as in Shakespeare and the same general progress of events, though there are important

differences of detail. The names, except Don Pedro and Lconnto, are quite unlike. The deception of the lover in Bandello is achieved simply by showing him a man entering a window of Leonato's house; there ic; no parallel to the disguising of Margaret to simulate her mistress. Again, in Bandello, thc denunciation of the heroine is performed less dramatically and also less heartlessly than in Shskcspeare, by means of a messenger sent by the deceived lover to her father's house; and the rillair1 himself exposes his plot from subsequent scruples of conscience. Thus Bandello's rcpresentaiives of both Claudio and Don John arc shown in a less odious light than their Shakespearean counterparts. Ban- dello appears to regard them both as rather excellent young men ; Shakespeare, with dis- tinctly different ideals of conduct, is a t pains to emphasize his disapproval.

It ~vould hardly be doubted illat Shakespeare had read E~nilello, if me were certain that he could read Italian. Probably he could, since Italian w&s the most commonly studied of all the modern tongues in his age and was perhaps more generally understood by educated men than any foreign languagc is in England to-day. No English translation of Bandello's tale is known to have existed in Shakespeare's life- time, but a free French version, by Franqois de Belle-Forest, was published in 1582. This map possibly have furnished the poet with the story, but the likelihood that i t did .so is les- sened by thc fact that Shakespeare shows no acquaintance with any of Belle-Forest's rather numerous deviations from his original. Another possibility is that Shakespeare knew Bandello's dory at second hand, as i t had been worked up into some earlier English play. Evidence for -

Much Ado A6ozl.t Nothing

such a drama has been foulid in a record of the Revels Accourits for December 18, 1574, which shows that the Ear l of Leicester's players acted a piece called 'thcier matter of Panecia' (i.e. P henicia or Fenicia, Bandell o's heroine ?), when Shakespeare was ten years old.

For one of Shaltespeare's divergences from Bandello noted above-the introduction of Mar- garet in Hero's clothes-a source exists in Ariosto's Orlaudo Furioso, Book V (published, 1516), where a story somewhat similar to Ban- dello's is related, I11 all other details Ariosto's version is far less like 1CIuch Ado than Ban- dello's, but the former clearly foreshadows tlie part of Margaret in his Dalinda, whom he makes the narrator of the tale. I n the fourth canto of the second book of the Fairy Queen (published, 1690), Spenser introduces an adaptation of Ariosto's story, again changing the names and putting the narrative into the mouth of the figure corresl~onding to Claudio. Thus the latter portrays his sentiments while the deception is being practiced upon him:

Eftsoones he came vnto th' appointed place, And with him brought Prysns [Margaret], rich

arayd, In Claribellaes [Hero's] clothes. I-Ier proper face I not descerned in that dzlrliesome shade, But weend it was my loue, miih whom he plnyd. Ah God, what horrour and tormenting griefe My hart, my hands, mine eyes, and all assayd? Me liefer were ten thoilsand deathes priefe [expe-

rience] Then wound of gealous worme, and shame of such

repriefe.

The figures of Dogberry and his companions and their whole corlnection with the plot were original with Shakespeare, as has been said. How truly the poet depicted the actual con-


stabulary of his time is proved by a genuine letter written August 10, 1586, by Lord Burgh- ley, Queen Elizabeth's chief minister of state, to Sir Francis FValsingham:

'Sir-As I cam from London homward, in my coche, I sawe a t euery t o m e s end the nombre of x. or xij. standyng, with long staues, and vntill I cam t o Enfield I thought no other of them, but that they had stayd for auoyding of the rayne, or to drynk a t some alehouses, for so they did stand vnder pentyces [pent- houses] a t alehouses. But at Enfeld fynding a dosen in a plump [group], whan ther was no r a p e , I bethought myself that they war apoynted as watchmen, for the apprehendyng of such as a r missyng [LC. certain escaped traitors] ; and thereuppon I called some of them to me apart, and asked them wherfor they stood ther? and on of them answered,-To tak 8 yong men. And demandyng how they shuld know the persons, on answered with these words:-Mary, my Lord, by intelligence of ther fauor. What meane you by that? quoth I. Marry, sayd they, on of the partyes hath a hooked nose.-And haue you, quoth I, no other mark?-No, sayth they. And then I asked who apoynted them; and they answered on Bankes, a Head Constable, whom I willed to be sent to me.-Suerly, sir, who so euer had the chardg from yow hat11 vsed the matter negligently, for these watchmen stand so oppenly in plumps, as no suspected person will come neare them; and if they be no better instructed but to fynd 3 persons by on of them hauyng a hooked nose, they may miss therof. And thus I thought good t o ~duer t i se yow, that the Justyces that had the chardg, as I thynk, may vse the matter more circ.umspectly.'

APPENDIX B

The definite history of Much Ado about Nothing goes back to the first year of the seven- teenth century. On August 23, 1600, this play was licensed for publication, along with the second part of I-le?try I?', and i t appeared in the same year in the only early quarto edition. This version was evidently followed by the pub- lishers of the collected edition of Shakespeare's plays in the 1628 Folio, and the two texts exhibit only trivial differences. I t is generally assumed that the comedy was written in 1599, and there is n G reason for inferring an earlier date, except the bare possibility that ilfuch Ado about Notlting is identical with a mysterious Love's Labor's ?Yon, listed by Francis Meres as one of Shakespesrc's comedies in 1598.

The title-page of the edition of 1600 records that tEe play 'hat11 been sundrie times publikely acted by the right honorable, the Lord Cham- berlaine his seruants,' i.e. by Shakespeare's company, then acting a t the newly built Globe Theatre. A memorandum in the Stationers' Register, dated August 4 (1600), less than ,three weeks before the official license for publication, notes that Ilfuch Ado about Nothing and three other plays performed by Shake- speare's company were 'to be staied,' a'.e. with- held from publication. The purpose of this unsuccessful effort to prevent the printing of the comedy was doubtless the actors' Pear that circulation of the printed text might detract from the success of their performances, The

Much A d o About Notl1:inq 129

substitution in the early editions of the names of Jack Wilson, Kempe and Cowley instead of Balthazar, Dogberry and Verges (c f . notes on 11. iii. 39, s. d. and IV. ii.) gives welcome in- formation regarding the creators of those parts.

Muck Ado about Nothing was acted at Court, probably twice, on the occasion of the marriage of James 1's daughter, the Princess Elizabeth, to Frederic, Elector Palatine, in 1613. &lore specific evidence of the play's popularity with Stuart audiences occurs in a poem by Leonard Digges, effixed to the 1640 edition of Shake- speare's Poems:

Let but Beatrice And Be.t~edicke he seene, loe, in a trice The Cockpit, Galleries, Boxes, all are full.

After the Restoration, Sir William Davenant (1 606- 1668) was responsible for an ill-advised effort to make capital out of Benediclc and Beatrice by introducing them into the plot of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, in a medley called The Law against Lovers (published, 1673). A further monstrosity appeared in 1736 in The Universal Passion, an attempt b y one James Miller to combine Afuch Ado with I\.ioli&re's Princess of Elis. In 1721, the genuine play was restored to the London stage, where it has since been an established favorite. David Garrick (1717-1779) mas famous in the r6le of Benedick, as a great many of the chief English and American actors have becn since. In general, however, the impersonators of Beatrice have found the greatest opportunity, and distinguished actresses like Helena Faucit (Lady Martin, 18 17-1 898), Ellen Terry (1 848- -), and Ada Rehan ( 1 860- 191 6) have owed much of their success to their interpretations of this part.

APPENDIX C

William Hazlitt in Characters of Shake- tpear's Playa (1 817) . (Reprinted in Every- man's Library .)

Mrs. Anna Jameson in Cha~acater~stica of Women, Jforal, Poelical and Historical ( 1 8 3 8 ) .

Mary Cowden Clarlie: 'Beatrice and Hero: The Cousins' in The Girlhood of Shaliespeare's Heroines (1850-1852). ( I n vol. iii of the Everyman's Library ed.)

Helena Faucit, Lady Martin: On Xome of S'hakespeare's Female Characters, Letter no. viii. 'Beatrice' ( 1 886). Seventh ed., Edin- burgh, 1904.

Andrew Lang: The Comedies of Shakespeare. With Illustrations by E. A, Abbey, and com- ments by Andrew Lang. V. Much Ado about Nothing. I-Iarper's Magazine, September, 1891, vol. lxxxiii, pp. 489-602.

H. H. Furness: A New Ynriorum Edition of Shakespeare, Vol, xii. Much Ado about Noth- &g, 3899,

APPENDIX D

The text of the present volume is, by per- mission of the Oxford University Press, that of the Oxford Shakespeare, edited by the late W, J. Craig, except for the following deviatiorls:

1. The stage directioils arc based on those in tlie two original edition..; of the play, a few obvious errors in the latter being corrected and words there missing added within square brackets.

2. About half a dozen words are differently spelled: e.g., antic (antick), lantern (lanthorn), villainy (villany), haggard (liaggerd) .

3. Five changes of punctuation or wording have been made, viz.:

1. i. 153 Leonato.- fo r Leonato: 11. iii. 9 2 marry. Dost for marry; dost 11. iii. 123 sit you- for sit you; 111. i. 101 day- for day, V. i. 94 Scambling for Scrambling

INDEX OF WORDS GLOSSED

(Figures in full-faced type refer to page-numbers)

abused: 97 (V. ii. 103) accordant: 13 (1, ii. 16) Adam, called: 10 (I. i. 469)

addition: 41 (11. iii. 253) advertisement: 81 (V. i.

34 affect: 11 (I. i. 306) affection: 31 (IT. ii. 7) against: 23 (IT. i. 189) agate: 45 (111. i. 6 5 ) aim at: 51 (111. ii. 99) alliance: 28 (IT. i. 333) alms: 39 (11. iii. 179) am for you: 30 (11. f.

ssn) an: 6 (I. i. 143) ancientry: 19 (11, i. 81) angel (coin) : 34 (IJ. iii.

3.5) answer, t o your: 89 (V.

i. 239) antic: 45 (111. i. 63) a~iticly: 84 (V. i. 96) apes ( l e d a. in hell) : 18

(IT. i. 4 3 ) appear: 13 (I. ii. 83) apprehend: 19 (11. i. 85) apprehension: 61 (111.

iv. 67) approved: 30 (11. i. 397) argument (theme for

talk) : 10 (I. i. 266) argument (power of rea-

son): 46 (111. i. 96) Ate: 26 (11. i. 965) attir'd: 70 (IV. i. 146) authority: 66 (IV. i. 56)

badge: 2 (I, i. 83) band: 47 (111. i. 114) barns (bairns) : 60 (111.

iv. 48) base: 24 (TI, i. 217) bear-ward: 18 (11. i. 43) bear in hand: 76 (I lr . ic 909)

beaten with brains: 104 (V. iv. 104.)

belongs to: 53 (111. lii. 40)

below stairs, keep: 94 (V. ii. 10)

Bel's priests: 57 (111. iii. 143)

bent (tension): 41 (11. iii. 01.3)

bent (inclination) : 78 (IV. i. 188)

beshrew: 83 (V. i. 55) beside: 86 (V, i. 131) bills (advertisement) : 2

(I. I. 39) bills (pikes): 53 (111.

iii. 44) bird-bolt: 2 (I. i. 43) blazon: 27 (11. i. 309) block: 3 (I. i. 78) blood: 15 (I . iii. SO) book: 71 (TV. i. 169) books: 3 (I, i. 80) bottle: 10 ( I , i. 867) brave: 105 (V. iv. 131) break: 11 (I. i. 319) breathing: 30 (TI. i. 580) broke cross: 88 (V. i. 148)


bucklers, give the: 94 (V. ii. 17)

burden: 60 (111. ir. 45) by: 92 (V. i. 916)

candle-wasters: 81 (V. 3. 18)

canker: 15 (I. iii. 98) career: 86 (V. i. 138) carpet-mongers: 95 (V.

ii. 93) carriage: 15 (1. iii. 31) carry: 41 (IT. iii. 234) carving: 33 (11. iii. 18) certain: 23 (11. i. 183) Charn, Great: 26 (11. i.

279) change: 71 (IV. i. 185) charge (noun) : 4 (1. i.

106) charge (verb) : 86 (V. i.

139) cheapen: 34 (11. iii. 33) church-bench: 55 (111.

iii, 94) cinque-pace: 19 (IT. i.

78) circumstances: 51 (111.

ii. 106) civet: 49 (TIT. ii. 60) civil: 27 (11. i. 306) claw: 14 (I. iii. 19) close, stand: 66 (111. iii.

113) cod-piece: 57 (111. iii.

145) cog: 84 (V. i. 95) coil: 55 (111. iii. 98) Comfect: 76 (IV. i. 398) commodity: 58 (111. iii.

188) conlparison: 22 (TI. i.

154) complexion: 12 (I. i. 393) comprehend: 53 (111. iii.

95) conceit: 27 (11. i. 911)

conditions: 60 (111. ii. m>

confirm'd: 100 (V. iv, 17 1

conjecture: 68 (IV. i. 107)

contemptible: 39 (11. iii. 198)

continuer: 6 (I. i . 149) convert: 5 (I. i. 197) conveyance: 25 (11. i.

255) counterpoise: 65 (IV. L

28) counties: 76 (IV. 1. 381) cousin: 12 (I. ii. 2) cozened: 32 (11. ii. 39) crotcl~ets: 35 (11. iii. 59) cry mercy: 13 (I. ii. 99) cuckold: 18 (11. i. 47) Cupid: 7 (T. i. 199) curiously: 87 (V. i. 160). curst: 17 (11. i. 22) cuts: 59 (111. iv. 19)

daffed: 39 (11. iii. 187) dear: 5 (I. i. 134) dearness: 51 (111. ii. 101) debated: 99 (V. iv. 3) defend: 20 (IT. i. 99) deprave: 84 (V. i. 95) desartless: 52 (111. iii. 9) despite: 9 (I. i. 245) Dian: 86 (IV. i. 57) difference: 3 (I. i. 70) discovered: 13 (I. ii. 13) displeasure: 31 (IT. ii. 6) doctor: 88 (V. i. a l l ) Don Worm: 97 (V. G. 89 )

dotage: 39 (11. iii. 187) double-dealer : 104 (V.

iv. 116) doublet: 33 (11. iii. 19) down sleeves: 59 (111. iv.

90) drift: 30 (11. i. 406)

Much d do A bou.t Nothing

drovier: 24 (11. i. 809) ducats: 32 (11. ii. 54) dumps: 36 (11. iii. 75)

earnest: 18 (11. i. 43) ecstasy: 38 (11. iii, 167) eftest: 78 (IV. ii. 39) encounter: 4 (I. i. 100) enfranchised: 15 (I. i i i

35) enraged: 37 (11. iil, 119) entertained: 16 (I. iii.

60) estimation: 31 (11. ii. 25) Europa: 101 (V. i ~ . 4&) even: 75 (IV. i. 968) event: 13 (I. ii. 8) ever: 29 (11. i. 361) experimental seal: 71

(IV. i. 168)

faith: 3 (I. 1. 76); 100 (V. iv. 8)

false gallop: 61 (111. iv. 94 1

Fame, Lady: 24 (11. 5. 923 )

fancy: 48 (111. ii. 31) fashion: 15 (I. iii. 30) fathers herself: 5 (I. 1. 116)

favour: 20 (11. i. 99) fence: 83 (V. i. 75) festival terms: 95 (V. ii.

49) fetch . . in: 9 (I. i. 238) fine: 9 (I. i. 255) Aner, go the: 9 (I. i 866) flat: 25 (IT. i. 931) fleer: 83 (V. i. 68) fleet: 22 (11. i. 150) flight, a t the: 2 (I. i. M ) flouting Jack: 7 (I. i.

192) flow in: 74 (IP. i. 951) foining: 84 (V. i. 811)

'forehand sin: 66 (IV, i. 50)

foundation: 93 (V. i. 334 )

frame (verb): 15 (I. i i i 26)

frame (noun, contriv- ance): 72 (IV. i. 191)

frame (noun, order): 69 (IV. i. 130)

from: 46 (111. i. 79) full: 5 (I. i. 114)

getting: 28 (11. i. 338) girdle, turn his: 86 (V.

i . 145) gives . . out: 24 (11. i,

218) go about with: 78 (IV.

ii. 29) go in: 7 (I. i. 194) go near to: 78 (IV. ii.

95 > go to: 8 (1. i. 910) goes to the world: 28

(11. i. 332) good den: 50 (111. ii. 83) Goodman: 62 (111. v. 10) good-year: 14 (I. iii. 1) grace, all: 28 (11. i. 317) grace harmony: 34 (11.

iii. 4%) gracious: 69 (IV. i. 109) guarded-guards: 11 (I.

i. 996) gull: 37 (TI. iii. 139)

habit: 73 (IV. i. 999) haggards: 44 (111. i. 36) halfpence: 38 (11. iii.

167) hangman: 48 (111. 3. 11) happiness: 5 (I. 1. 1%);

40 (11. iii, 901) haps: 47 (111. i. 106) harpy: 28 (11. i. 989)

Much Ado A bout Nothing

head, t o thy: 83 (V. i. 69)

Headbr~rough: 62 (111. v. S. d.)

hearken nfterr 88 (V. i. 221)

heart-burned: 17 (11. i. 4

heavens. for the: 18 (TI. i. 51)'

height: 76 (IV. i. 306) Hercules: 26 (11. i. 263) high-proof: 85 (V. i.

124) his (its): 96 (V. ii. 57) hobby-horses: 50 (111. ii. 75)

hold . . up: 37 (11. iii. 136)

holds: 51 (111. ii. 101) honest: 46 (111. i. 84) honesty: 30 (11. i. 398) horn-mad: 10 (I. i. S O ) householcler: 80 (IV. ii. 87

how: 45 (111. i. 60) huddling: 25 (11. i. 354) humour: 5 (I. i. 137) Hundred Merry Tales:

21 (11. i. 137)

ill: 20 (TI. i, 107) ill-well: 21 (11. i. 124) important: 19 (11. i. 75) impose: 91 (V. i. BSG) incensed: 89 (V. i. 947) infinite: 37 (11. iii. 112) injuries: 74 (IV, i. 945) innocent: 95 (V. ii. 38) instance: 96 (V. ii. 81) instances: 32 (11. ii. 42) intend: 32 (IT. ii. 35) invention: 72 (IV. i. 196) inwardness: 74 (IV. i. 247)

issue: 99 (V. iii. 32)

jade's trick: 8 (I. I. 151) jealousy: 32 (11. ii. M)) just: 18 (11. i. 89)

kid-fox: 34 (IT. iii. 45) kind (adj.): 2 (I. i. 96) kind (noun): 72 (IV. i 199)

kindly: 67 (IV. I. 75)

laced: 58 (111. iv. 80) large: 40 (11. iii. 917) largely: 102 (V. iv. 69) Leander: 95 (V. ii. SO) leavy: 36 (11. iii. 77) liberal: GS (IV. i. 93) lies in: 31 (11. ii. 91) light: 60 (111. iv. 37) like of: 102 (V. iv. 59) lim'd: 47 (111. i. 104) List: 61 (111. iv. 89) liver: 73 (IV. i. 933) lock: 58 (111. iii. 181) lustihood: 83 (V. i. 76) luxurious: 66 (IV. i. 41)

mannerly: 19 (TI. i. 80) March-chick: 16 (I. iii. 58)

mark, man a t a: 25 (11. i. 256)

maTl: 19 (TI. i. 67) Mass: 55 (111. iii. 105) matter: 28 (11. i. 346) measure, o i t of: 14' (I.

iii. 8 ) measure: 19 (TI. i. 78) meddle or make: 54 (111.

iii. 56) meet: 2 (I. i. 47) ; Ei (I.

i. 126) mend: 97 (V. ii. 98) mending, put to: 41 (11.

iii. 249) metal: 19 (TI. i. &it)

mind: 29 (TI. i. 978) minister: 30 (11. i. 587)

Mulch A d o Abozl't Nothing

misgovernment: 68 (IV. i 100)

misprising: 45 (111. i. 62)

nrisprision: 72 (IV. f. 187)

misuse (dclude): 32 (11. ii. 28)

misused (abused) : 25 (11. i. 248)

mo: 36 (11. iii. 74) moral (noun): 61 (111.

iv. 77) moral (ndj.): 81 (V. i. 30

mortifying mischief: 14 (I . iii. 13)

Mountanto: 2 (I. i. 30) mourning ostentation: 72

(IV. i. 907) moving-delicate: 73 (IV.

I i. 230)

name: 1 (I . i, 7) naught: 87 (V. i. 160) naughty: 80 (IV. ii. 77) near: 22 (11, i. 171) night-gown: 59 (111. iv. 18)

night-raven: 36 (11. iii. 90)

non-come: 64 (111. v. 68) noted: 7 (I . i. 171) notes: 35 (11. iii. 57)

odorous: 62 (111. v. 18) of: 63 (111. v. 24); 104

(V. iv. 124) old coil: 87 (V. ii. 102) once, 'tis: 12 (1. i. 328) only: 22 (TI. i. 145); 43

(111. i. 9 3 ) organ: 73 (IV. i. 228) out-facing: 84 (V. i. 94) out of: 38 (11. iii. 177) outrage: 39 (11. iii. 169)

over-mastered with: 10 (11. i. 65)

pack'd: 92 (V. i. 319) paint out: 51 (111. ii.

119) palabras: 62 (111, v. IS) paper bullets: 42 (11. iii. 961)

passing: 19 (11. i. 85) patience: 85 (V. i. 102) penny-worth: 34 (11. iiii 4.5)

pent-house: 56 (111. iii. 109)

Philemon's roof: 20 (11. i. 100)

Pigmies: 26 (XI. i. 280) pleached: 13 (I. ii. 11);

43 (111. i. 7) pleasant: 2 (I . i. 37) pluck up: 88 (V, i. 212) politic: 96 (V. ii. 65) possess: 91 (V. i , 29.1.) possessed: 57 (111. iii. 159)

practice: 72 (IV. i. 190) preceptial: 81 (V . i. 3%) predestinate: 6 (I . i. 142) present: 55 (111. iii. 79) presently: 4 (I. i. 89) I'rester John: 26 (1'1. i. 278)

prie'd: 46 (111. i. 90) proeject: 45 (111. i. 55) prolong'd: 74 (IV. i 956)

proper: 16 (1. iii. 54); 40 (11. iii. 300)

propose: 43 (111. I. 19) proposing: 43 (111. i. 3) prospect: 73 (IV. i. 231) protest: 86 (V. i. 158) prove: 9 (I . i. 260) purchaseth: 45 (111. i. 70)

push: 82 (V. i. 38)

n-luch Ado Abou,t ATotl&ing 187

qualify: 102 (V. iv. 67) queasy: 30 (11. i. 402) quips: 42 (11. iii. 260) quirks: 41 (11. iii. 956) quit . . of: 72 (IV. i.

909) quondam: 95 (V. ii. 39)

rabato: ti9 (111. iv. 6) rack: 73 (IV. i. 282) ranges evenly: 31 (11. ii.

7) reaiward: 69 (IV. i. 198) recheat: 9 (I . i. 251) reclusive: 74 (IV. i. 944) reechy: 57 (111. iii. 148) render: 65 (IV. i. 99) rcportingly: 47 (111. i.

116) reprove: 41 (11. iii. 252) respect of: 59 (111. iv.

19) respects: 39 (11. iii. 188) rheum: 97 (V. ii. 88) right, do me: 86 (V. i.

151) riming planet: 95 (V. ii.

41)

sad: 7 (I. i. 191) sadly borne: 41 (11. iii.

940) salv'd: 12 (I. i. 325) Saturn, born under: 14

(I. iii. 19) saving . . reverence: 59

(111. iv. 32) scab: 55 (111. iii. 106) scambling: 84 (V. i. 94) season: 70 (IV. i. 144) second: 80 (V. i. 2) secretly kept in: 72 (IV.

i. 905) sedges, creep into: 24

(11. i. 919) self-endear'd: 48 (111, L

66 1

sentences: 42 (11. iii. 960)

shall: 31 (11. ii, 1) shift: 36 (11. iii. 86) shrewd: 17 (11. i. 20) sick tune: 80 (111. iv.

42) sigh~nwrry Sundays: 8 (I.

i. 219) slops: 48 (111, ii. 36) smock: 38 (11. iii. 147) smoking: 16 (I . iii. 61) soft you: 88 (V. i. 219) sort (noun): 1 (I. i. 7) sort (verb): 74 (IV. i.

"$9 2 speeds: 99 (V. iv. 38) spell backward: 45 (111.

i. 61) squilrer: 4 (I. i. 83) staff: 86 (V. i. 141) stale: 31 (11. ii. 26) stalk on: 36 (11. iii.

101) start-up: 16 (I. iii. 69) still: 5 (I. i. 191) stops: 40 (111. ii. 69) strain (lineage) : 30 (11.

i. 397) strain (strong feeling) :

81 (V. i. 18) study of imagination: 73

(IV. i. 297) stuffed: S (I. i. 60) ; 61

(111. iv. 63) style: 82 (V. i. 37); 94

(V. ii. 6) subscribe: 96 (V. ii. 61) subscribed: 2 (I. i. 41) SUcCeSS: 73 (IV. i. 236) sufferance: 82 (V. i. 38) s~lfigance: 64 (111. v.

5G) suit (noun): 29 (11. i.

367) suit (verb) : 81 (V. i. 7)


mited, well: 89 (V. i. 936)

sun-burnt: 28 (11. i. S34) sure: 16 (I. iii. 71)

tabor: 33 (11. iii. 15) tale, in a: 78 (IV. ii. 34) tax (blame) : 2 (1. i. 46) tax (impose a task): 34

I (11. iii. 47) temper: 31 (TI, ii. $9) temporize: 10 (I. f. 284) tend on: 14 (I. iii. 17) tender: SO (11. iii. 197) terminations: 26 (11. 1.

358) thaw: 25 (11. i. 254) thick-pleached: 13 (I. ii, 11)

tire: 59 ( I l l . iv. 13) to-night: 63 (111. v. 33) top: 13 (I. ii. 17) trace: 43 (111. i. 16) trans-shape: 87 (V. 1. 17G)

trencher-man: 3 (I. 1.59) Troilus: 95 (V. ii. 91) troth: 102 (V. iv. 77) trow: 60 (111. iv. 68) true: 54 (111. iii. 64) try: 10 (I. 1. 270) tuition: 10 (I. i. $91) Turk, turned: 60 (111. iv. 56)

twist: 12 (I. i. 321) tyrant: 7 (I. i. 176)

unconfirmed: 56 (111. ill. 121)

uncovered: 76 (IV. i. 810)

anderborner 60 (111. iv. SL>

undergoes : 88 (V. ii. 69) undo: 100 (V. iv. 90) untowardly turned: 59

(111. ii. 136) ?se: 27 (11. 1,- 990) uttered: 08 (V, iii. 20)

vagrom: 53 (111. i i i 26) valuing: 70 (IV. i. 141) vice: 94 (V. ii. 91) visor: 20 (11. i. 100)

wag: 81 (V. i. 16) wait upon: 64 (111. v. 61)

walk: 40 (JI. iii. 929) warrant: 51 (111. 3. 115) warren: 24 (IT. i. 924) watch: 52 (111. iii. S. d.) weeds: 99 (V. iii, 30 well-f moored: 53 ($11.

iii. 15) what . . for: 15 (I. lil.

49) wide: 67 (IV. i. 69) windy: 28 (11. i. 389) withal: 13 (I. ii. ?4) wits, five: 3 (I. i. 67) witty: 78 (IV. ii. 28) woo: 35 (11. iii. 51) woodbine coverture: 44

(111. i. 30) woodcock: 87 (V. i. 161) woollen, lie in the: 18

(11. i. 33) word, a t a: 21 (11. I. 150)

world, a: 63 (111. v. 38) worm: 48 (111. ii. 27) wrest: 59 (111. iv. 94) wring: 81 (V, i. 28)

Documents

Shakespeare - Much Ado About Nothing (Yale Shakespeare)